George, Wilderness and Uniondale enjoyed a successful 2025/26 festive season, with high visitor satisfaction, stable accommodation performance, improved restaurant trade and growing airlift reinforcing the destination’s appeal to both domestic and international travellers. Insights gathered from visitors and tourism stakeholders across the peak holiday period paint a positive picture of a destination that continues to deliver memorable experiences, underpinned by natural beauty, outdoor activities and a welcoming tourism community.
Exceptional Visitor Satisfaction and Global Reach George, Wilderness and Uniondale Tourism conducted in-person visitor information activations at key tourism hotspots from 13 December to 10 January, including Redberry Farm, Victoria Bay, Wilderness Beach, the Outeniqua Family Market and the Garden Route National Park. Tourism staff engaged with more than 1,300 visitor interactions through activations and Visitor Information Centres during this period.
Visitor surveys conducted during the activations revealed exceptionally strong satisfaction levels. Of the 582 respondents: • 88% rated their visit as “excellent” • 12% rated it as “good” • 99.8% indicated they would recommend the destination to other travellers Visitors cited natural scenery (86%), outdoor activities (80%), and safety and cleanliness (56%) as key reasons for choosing the destination. Leisure travel dominated, with 97% visiting for holiday purposes. The destination attracted a diverse international market, with visitors from 26 countries, including the United Kingdom and Netherlands, alongside strong domestic travel.
“The overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors speaks volumes about the quality of our destination and the dedication of our tourism community,” says Tourism Manager Joan Shaw. “From tourism businesses and frontline staff to our natural and public spaces, this season showed what is possible when everyone works together.”
Accommodation occupancy across guesthouses, B&Bs, self-catering units and similar accommodation types averaged 70% during the school holiday period, in line with the previous year, according to select online travel agent information. Peak demand was particularly strong, with occupancy reaching 87% on 27 and 31 December, before tapering off in line with the reopening of schools. December 2025 booking data reflected R69.1 million in revenue, representing an increase of approximately R2.3 million year-on-year.
Domestic travellers accounted for just over half of bookings, while international visitors made up a significant portion, led by Germany, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. The average length of stay was 3.5 days, with a notable share of bookings made within a short reservation window, highlighting the effectiveness of last-minute travel decisions and marketing. Direct feedback from hotels and boutique hotels across George indicated similar trends. During the height of the festive period, average hotel occupancy reached 89%, with several properties fully booked.
The hospitality sector reported a notably strong season. Fifteen out of eighteen popular restaurants surveyed indicated improved performance compared to the previous festive season. Popular attractions continued to draw visitors, with the Powervan George transporting 3,099 passengers during the festive period. The Wilderness section of the Garden Route National Park recorded 27,981 day visitors in December, reflecting steady demand for nature-based experiences. A diverse festive events calendar including the inaugural George Festival hosted in collaboration with the Western Cape Government, further contributed to destination vibrancy, with more than 26 events taking place across December and early January, spanning music, sport, markets and family-friendly activities.
George Airport recorded 96,000 passengers in December 2025, reflecting 3% growth year-on-year. The airport closed the year with a record 911,000 two-way passengers, representing an 11% increase compared to 2024, reinforcing George’s accessibility and growth potential.
“All indicators point to a strong and resilient destination,” says Shaw. “We continue to warmly welcome international visitors through late summer and look forward to seeing domestic travellers return for the Easter break. Thank you to everyone who chose George, Wilderness and Uniondale this festive season.”