Waste and our international profile

Does Waste Matters Waste and health Waste and crime Waste and our international profile Waste and the economy

The tourism industry

Tourism is Cape Town's number one industry in terms of income generation. Each year, over half of all international tourists to South Africa visit the city, attracted by its exceptional natural environment and sites of historical interest.

South Africa, with Cape Town as its primary destination for international visitors, is predicted to become increasingly important in world tourism. Continued growth of our tourism industry is a major means for providing employment and improving economic growth. Tourism creates jobs directly in the industry, but also in related and support services such as vehicle rental.

The industry is, however, vulnerable to several negative factors, including littering and illegal dumping. Cape Town is in constant competition with other tourist destinations worldwide, and keeping the city clean is vital if we wish to continue to attract visitors.

The film industry

Cape Town has become increasingly important as a venue for international filming activities, because it offers a variety of beautiful locations and excellent outdoor conditions. The local economy benefits significantly from the film industry (estimated as having spent almost R500 million over the 2000/2001 season), second only to tourism in terms of income generation. As with tourism, jobs are created directly in the film industry or in related sectors: filming requires a wide range of services, from catering to stunts, many of which are outsourced to local small businesses. Films shot in Cape Town also promote the city through international media exposure.

Littering and illegal dumping make foreign producers less likely to consider Cape Town as a viable option for filming. In addition to suitable locations, international film companies also often base their decision on where to film according to the quality of environment in which they will spend leisure time between shoots.

A suitable host

A clean, litter-free Cape Town shows the international (and national) community that this is a well-run, world-class city desirable not only as a tourist destination but also for hosting events such as sporting competitions, conferences and festivals.

Tourists litter too!

Visitors also need to become more aware about keeping the host city or country clean. Littering commonly increases during peak tourist season in popular venues, and can potentially ruin precious natural and cultural sites. Sporting events that attract large numbers of visitors, such as the Argus Cycle Tour, also tend to generate high volumes of litter, and during such times residents and visitors alike need to take a little extra effort with cleaning up.

Further Reading


Jeter, J. 2001.
South Africa Tackles a Pile of Trash.
In Washington Post. 24 July 2001.