“Today’s Customers Want Locals”: Exec Explains How Capetonians Can Benefit From Tourism

• Skift's Megatrends forecast highlighted tourism's dual impact on Cape Town's economy and living costs
• Millat Group's CEO advocated for local hiring to ensure communities benefit from tourism growth
• The event took place on Table Mountain and invited professionals from the media and travel industry to hear about travel trends in the year ahead
• Briefly News spoke to tourism professionals Mbali Queencess Mntambo and Khulie Nyakeni about how locals can benefit from the industry and why tourism qualifications are often misunderstood in South Africa

While an influx of tourists touching down in the Mother City to experience the beauty it possesses can greatly benefit the South African economy, it can also increase the cost of living for locals. Fortunately, there seems to be a solution that benefits Capetonians by putting money in their pockets.

On 27 January 2026, media company Skift, in collaboration with Millat Group (a South African investment company focused on hospitality), presented its 2026 Megatrends forecast while shining a light on the trends shaping the travel industry in the year ahead. Gathering travel and media representatives from South Africa and abroad, the event took place on the iconic Table Mountain.

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Take a look at the Instagram pictures from the event posted on Lume Agency's account below:

Briefly News caught up with the CEO of Millat Group, Hamza Farooqui, who emphasised that "Africa isn’t ‘rising’ — it’s now."

When asked about his take on Cape Town residents not reaping the benefits of tourism and experiencing rising costs of living, Hamza stated:

"The key thing is to hire from local communities. If you are rendering a tourism service, how will your supply chain incorporate a local? For example, at our Hyatt Regency (Millat-owned hotel), we serve koeksusters. The person who makes the koeksusters comes from the area. You just have to find those pockets because today's customers want locals."

Khulie Nyakeni explained to Briefly News that tourism qualifications are frequently undervalued despite the industry's economic significance.

“Tourism qualifications often get underestimated in South Africa, likely due to misconceptions about the industry's scope and job prospects. People might view it as ‘just hospitality’ or limited to low-skilled work.”

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She said this perception prevents many people from recognising the wider opportunities available in the sector.

“In reality, tourism involves much more than hospitality. It includes areas like marketing, event planning, operations management and customer experience, all of which require professional skills.”

Mbali Queencess Mntambo, who holds a tourism management diploma and works in the industry in South Africa, said negative perceptions often begin early in school.

“There is a stigma we grew up with, people say tourism is an easy subject or that it is for learners who are not academically strong. That perception continues even at tertiary level.”

However, she emphasised that the qualification demands significant knowledge and specialised skills.

“Tourism is not easy. There is a lot of theory involved and you need to focus to become an expert. Professionals must understand global destinations, read maps, work with systems like GDS, and manage bookings for trips and holidays on live platforms. You also need strong communication skills because you deal with travellers with different personalities.”

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Mbali added that tourism graduates often look overseas for opportunities because the industry is sometimes better recognised internationally.

“Many graduates want to explore international markets because it seems like there are more opportunities there. But there is also a lot of work to be done here in South Africa. Tourism contributes significantly to our country’s GDP, and there are many roles behind the scenes that still need to be filled.”

She believes industry leaders can play a bigger role in opening doors for young professionals.

“Senior professionals in the industry should help create opportunities for new graduates so they can build careers locally. Tourism equips graduates with valuable skills such as customer service, cultural awareness, problem-solving, marketing and event management.”

According to Mbali, recognising the value of tourism skills could help more South Africans benefit from the sector as global travellers increasingly seek authentic local experiences.

3 Other stories about tourists in Cape Town

• In another article, Briefly News reported that a well-known international digital personality shared a glimpse of the Tony Stark-inspired mansion in Cape Town, leaving many to admire the futuristic architecture.
• Last year, an American woman shared her first day exploring Cape Town on a rainy day. Her outfit choice sparked confusion among South Africans, who questioned why she wore light clothing during the city's coldest season.
• A European content creator's enthusiastic review of Cape Town broadly stretched across social media after she confirmed that the Mother City lives up to its international hype. She praised everything from the views to the people.

Source: Briefly News