Table Mountain Aerial Cableway

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway experienced a record number of visitors during December 2011, with a total of 116 000 visitors riding the cable cars during the festive season. Almost 80% of those going up the Cableway were domestic visitors from around South Africa.

The Cableway has seen a 3% increase since the previous record in December 2006, when 112 000 visitors ascended the mountain. When the Cableway first opened 82 years ago, only 6000 people reached the top of Table Mountain via the cable cars in December 1929.

“Table Mountain’s campaign to be included in the New 7 Wonders of Nature has raised awareness of our natural icon and it seemed that many South Africans wanted to see the icon for themselves,” said Sabine Lehmann, Chief Executive Officer of Table Mountain Cableway.

Cape Town’s sunny weather meant that the Cableway could operate 72% of the time as oppose to December 2010, when strong winds and unpleasant weather only allowed the cable cars to run 56% of the time.

The good weather conditions, and effective online ticket sales, meant that thousands of people could experience a trip up Table Mountain during December 2011.

Table Mountain Cableway’s Marketing Manager, Collette van Aswegen says, “Our online ticketing system worked very well and meant that our queues were more manageable than in the past”.

With the season quieting down, Capetonians are encouraged to take advantage of the half price Sunset Special that continues until the end of February. Sunset Special tickets are valid from 6pm daily from the ticket office. Adults pay R97.50 and children just R47.50.

The Cableway operates weather permitting. For information call (021) 424 8181 or visit www.tablemountain.net