Emirates & Wesgro sign MoU to boost inbound tourism to Western Cape

The MoU supports Cape Town and the Western Cape’s growth for jobs strategy by identifying opportunities to promote the region in key destinations on the airline’s global network.

Emirates and Wesgro have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to drive inbound tourism and boost visitors to Cape Town and the Western Cape.

The MoU was signed by Afzal Parambil, Emirates’ Regional Manager for Southern Africa and Wrenelle Stander, Wesgro’s Chief Executive Officer, at the Emirates’ stand at WTM. Under the agreement, Emirates and Wesgro will collaborate on boosting travel from key growth markets including the GCC, Far East, India, and other mutually identified source markets, to promote the destination and encourage travellers to experience the abundance of natural, cultural and historical attractions.

Parambil said, “Cape Town is one of our most visited and most consistently in-demand destinations on our African network. Through this agreement with Wesgro, a longstanding and essential regional partner, we will collaborate to unlock new growth opportunities and further stimulate inbound tourism from key destinations on our global network, by showcasing the beauty and breadth of experience that Cape Town and the Western Cape have to offer. This partnership also further supports and complements our plan to introduce a third daily frequency to Cape Town, served by our newest aircraft type, the Airbus A350. This agreement is another signal of our steadfast commitment to South Africa. We look forward to playing a meaningful role in Cape Town’s tourism success story for years to come.”

Stander also shared, “As the tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for the region, Wesgro continues to focus on stimulating demand, strengthening trade relationships, and unlocking new opportunities across priority markets. Partnerships with organisations such as Emirates offer system-scale opportunities to engage global stakeholders and accelerate this momentum. Through ongoing collaboration with airlines, tourism trade and industry partners, Wesgro is positioning Cape Town and the Western Cape as a leading destination for both business and leisure - offering world-class, premium experiences, with love from the locals.”

In 2025 Cape Town International Airport recorded a record-breaking 11.1 million two-way passenger traffic, accounting for both domestic and international travellers. In 2025, Emirates deployed its retrofitted Boeing 777 aircraft to the city and, this summer, is planning to add third daily frequency, served by its newest aircraft type, the Airbus A350. The deployment enhances travel options between South Africa and Dubai, with Emirates’ full suite of products and services available for customers to enjoy – from the iconic A380 and the fully-retrofitted Boeing 777 to the next-gen A350. South Africa remains the only African nation to be served by all three aircraft in Emirates’ fleet.