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DADtv | The Effects of the Jazz Festival on Cape Town's Economy

  • dadtvnet
  • May 15
  • 2 min read

🧳 How the Festival Uplifted Cape Town Tourism

The Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2025 wasn’t just a win for music lovers—it was a major boost for tourism and the local economy.


🏨 Hotel Occupancy Soared

During festival weekend, Cape Town experienced one of its highest hotel occupancy rates since pre-COVID times, with many venues in the CBD, Sea Point, and Green Point reporting full bookings. According to Cape Town Tourism, the jazz festival injected millions of rand into the hospitality sector, from boutique guesthouses to major hotel chains.


🍽️ Restaurants & Nightlife Flourished

Food trucks, bars, and restaurants saw a surge in customers, particularly around Bree Street, Long Street, and the V&A Waterfront. Jazz-themed after-parties and pop-up events extended the nightlife until early morning hours, giving local businesses and performers extra stage time and income.


🛍️ Small Businesses & Creatives Benefited

Artisans, fashion designers, and street vendors benefited from the foot traffic around the CTICC and city bowl. From locally made jazz merch to Cape Malay food stalls, visitors eagerly supported authentic Cape Town culture.


✈️ Increased Domestic & International Travel

Travel operators saw a bump in bookings from Gauteng, KZN, and even international visitors, especially from Germany, the UK, and the US. The festival's prestige helped brand Cape Town as not only a scenic destination but also a serious cultural capital.


📸 Social Media & Global Visibility

With hashtags like #CTJazzFest2025 and #JazzInTheMotherCity trending on social media, the festival helped amplify Cape Town’s global visibility. Influencers and artists shared clips, selfies, and soundbites that marketed the city to new audiences across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.


🚀 Beyond the Music: A Cultural Economy in Action

The 2025 CTIJF was more than an event—it was an engine. It proved how music and tourism are interconnected, and how a culturally-rooted festival can stimulate local economies, inspire global curiosity, and reignite love for the Mother City.


Want to relive the magic? Browse the highlights at capetownjazzfest.com.


 
 
 

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