Home

arrow_forward

Business

V&A Waterfront in survival mode: Hanging on for dear life until tourists return

"We’re well off our capacity," says Waterfront CEO David Green. "The last thing we want is to have the Waterfront full of holes."

The V&A Waterfront in Cape Town usually gets about 24 million visitors per year.

On a good day, you needed a fair bit of luck to find an open parking space, despite there being 7500 of them.

It is one of Africa’s most visited tourist attractions.

Or, rather, it used to be.

The lockdown turned the Waterfront into a ghost town.

John Maytham asked Waterfront CEO David Green when he expects business to start recovering.

We’re well off our capacity… something like 40% down on where we’d normally be this time of the year… particularly during the week… Weekends are a bit better…
David Green, CEO - V&A Waterfront

We’re seeing an increase – it can only be locals. We’ve seen a couple of German tourists, but it’s a trickle… People are becoming more confident…
David Green, CEO - V&A Waterfront

… No mask, no entry [indoors]… Outdoor, there’s lots of fresh air and space…
David Green, CEO - V&A Waterfront

... [tenants] are really struggling… It’s about survival until tourist numbers pick up… With very few exceptions, everybody is really struggling… The last thing we want is to have the Waterfront full of holes…
David Green, CEO - V&A Waterfront

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

More from Business

JSE Johannesburg Stock Exchange 123rf 123rfbusiness

Economy in 2021: 'Expect a better year for South African assets'

15 January 2021 3:02 PM

An economist expects China growth at 9.5%, US money-printing, rising metal prices and trade- and current-account surpluses in SA.

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

Funky hipster retired older mature couple 123rf 123rfbusiness retirement

Retirement funds in SA are changing – new laws come into effect on 1 March 2021

15 January 2021 1:23 PM

Bruce Whitfield asks personal finance advisor Warren Ingram to explain in detail the new laws affecting provident funds.

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

Germany german flag covid-19 123rf pandemic 123rfworld

Germany Covid-19 death rate now higher than US - considers 'mega lockdown'

15 January 2021 11:33 AM

Germany has squandered its early success in restricting Covid-19, laments Deutsche Welle Correspondent Chelsey Dulaney.

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

Pouring red wine from bottle into glass with wooden wine casks winemaking 123rf

Wine industry runs out of storage due to ban - R1.5b's worth could be lost

14 January 2021 9:06 PM

A new harvest is imminent and there's no more space for unsold wine. We have the highest stock level ever - Vinpro's Rico Basson

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

Don't fall for promises of high returns from latest investment scam, warns FSCA

14 January 2021 8:19 PM

A new scam is surfacing on Facebook and WhatsApp groups. The masterminds are even using the FSP number of a legitimate company.

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

Restaurant with spaced table for Covid-19 social distancing

'Thank you Mr President for not shutting us down, but we need more support!'

14 January 2021 7:35 PM

Loadshedding is another blow to the struggling restaurant industry. We need more relief says Grace Harding (Restaurant Collective)

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

Pick n Pay announces retirement of CEO credited with retailer's turnaround

14 January 2021 6:41 PM

Richard Brasher will be replaced by Netherlands-born Pieter Boone in April. A retail expert evaluates Brasher's performance.

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward

business-closed-company-support-entrepreneur-owner-economy-123rf

Negotiations underway to bring back UIF Ters payments amid impact of second wave

14 January 2021 4:56 PM

Business and labour are pressing South Africa's government to introduce a new round of UIF Ters relief to mitigate the impact of the Level 3 lockdown.

Share this:

Read More arrow_forward