South Africa registered 991,696 international tourist arrivals in July 2026, marking a 12.5% increase compared to July 2025, according to Statistics South Africa. Total arrivals for the first seven months of 2026 reached 6,576,169, reflecting a 12.4% rise year on year. African markets expanded by 14.3%, while growth from overseas visitors was 5.7% during this period.
TMACC’s Comprehensive Access Strategy
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (TMACC) defines access as enhancing the entire visitor journey, covering visit planning, ticket acquisition, understanding of operating conditions, summit accessibility, and pricing affordability. Wahida Parker, TMACC managing director, emphasized that the mountain caters to both international tourists and
local Capetonians. She noted the importance of making the experience available to different groups while simplifying the visit process.
Ticketing and Real-Time Information Innovations
TMACC introduced a new ticket purchasing option through WhatsApp, accessible via the Webtickets Table Mountain Aerial Cableway ticket page or QR codes at the Lower Station’s Ticket Office and queue. WhatsApp tickets include standard return and one-way fares, are valid for seven days, and can be fully refunded within that period via WhatsApp. Concession and special fares are not available through this channel and remain purchasable by existing methods.
TMACC’s website and mobile app provide live updates on the Cableway’s operating
status, temperature, visibility, wind conditions, scheduled first and last cable car times, and real-time waiting times at both the Lower and Upper Stations. This helps visitors adapt plans based on mountain weather variability, reducing the likelihood of arriving unprepared for operational halts.
Enhanced Accessibility for Mobility Needs
In April 2026, TMACC and SanParks opened the Universal Access Walkway, giving users of wheelchairs, prams, and mobility aids a dedicated path to the edge of Table Mountain’s summit plateau. The Cableway complex features dedicated disabled parking bays at the Lower Station, priority ticket office access, and lifts providing Cableway access. Wheelchairs are available upon request, while mobility
scooters are accessible at the Upper Station following safety assessment and staff guidance.
Summit amenities include ramps at TEN67 Eatery and a lift servicing the VIEWS by De Grendel wine bar and restaurant. TMACC provides a route map detailing which summit paths are accessible by wheelchairs and mobility scooters, balancing accessibility with the natural environment’s physical constraints.
Concessions and Educational Programmes
TMACC offers concession fares for various visitor groups. Children aged 4–17 pay R230 for an online return ticket or R270 at the Ticket Office; children under four travel free. Senior citizens aged 60 and over pay R130 for a return ticket year-round online
or at the Ticket Office with valid ID. Students 18 and older, domestic or international, can purchase tickets at R320 return or R200 one way by presenting a student card at the Lower Station Ticket Office.
South African residents may claim a free return Cableway ticket during their birthday month through the Ticket Office or Visitor Information Centre with valid ID. The ‘Local is Lekker’ promotion runs until 31 October 2026, offering return tickets for R265 adults and R135 children with a South African ID.
Frequent visitors can access the Virtual Cable Card year-round, available for adults, children aged 4–17,
and pensioners aged 60 and older.
TMACC’s environmental education programme called Class in the Clouds runs until 30 October 2026, Monday to Friday excluding holidays. The programme targets Grade 1 to 12 learners and serves over 15,000 participants annually in groups ranging from 10 to 100. Since its inception in 2001, more than 367,000 learners have been involved.
Operations and Visitor Services
The first cable car ascent begins at 8:30 a.m., with the last ascent at 6:00 p.m. The final cable car descent is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. TMACC promotes a free Park & Ride shuttle running from Lower Tafelberg Road parking to the
Lower Station to facilitate visitor access to the Cableway.
Wahida Parker stated, “Mountain weather can change quickly, and operating responsibly means that sometimes the Cableway has to stop. Providing people with accurate information in real time means they can plan around that rather than arriving without knowing what to expect.” She also noted, “Tourism growth brings opportunity, but it also raises the standard we need to meet. That applies as much to the Capetonian coming up for a sunset as to the visitor who has planned this trip for a year.”
Parker emphasized transparency about physical accessibility limits while continuing
to improve visitor experiences, explaining that domestic and regional visitors remain key components of TMACC’s year-round audience.
