Table Mountain 2012: Bigger, bolder, better
Photo courtesy James Gradwell
The year 2011 was a particularly good year for the Cableway. We hosted record numbers at the summit of one of the newly elected New7Wonders of Nature (visitors included Israeli beauties and WWE superstars), the mountain enjoyed snow for the second year running, and Cape Town even witnessed a curious cloud formation or two. Our Facebook fan page and Twitter profile became very popular and we gained many great new fans!
Here are some of our top Cableway stories, taken from the most read blog posts on our website.
The world takes note
Table Mountain gained international acclaim and global attention when it was voted in as one of the New7Wonders of Nature in November. Shortlisted from over 400 entries to just 28, and then to 14, winners were chosen and the announcement was made on November 11.
The win is not only remarkable in that it will create many job opportunities in the tourism sector, but also in that it encouraged all South Africans to unite and vote for a common cause, making the victory so much sweeter.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow
Early in August, reports came through of a light sprinkling of snow on Table Mountain – much to the delight of those who had made it to the top of Cape Town’s famed landmark in icy conditions. It seems that snow on Table Mountain is becoming an annual event.
Click here for the full story, pics and a video.
Environmentally responsible
The Cableway is proud of its many “green” initiatives and has made a dedicated effort to be more environmentally responsible. This commitment was lauded with the title of Overall Winner at the 2011 Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards in November.
There are six categories in the Imvelo Awards: Best Social Involvement Programme; Best Practice – Economic Impact; Most Empowered Tourism Business; Best Single Resource Management Programme; Best Overall Environmental Management System; and the Overall Winner, the top award claimed by the Cableway.
The Imvelo Awards create awareness of environmental management issues in the industry, and recognise tourism and hospitality businesses that make quantifiable, tangible and sustained contributions to responsible tourism.
Famous encounters
Cape Town welcomed a host of famous persons in 2011, and their first stop was Table Mountain. Coldplay, Justin Gabriel, Blair Underwood, David Hasselhoff, Josh Groban and a host of other local and international celebrities ascended to the summit, where many then voted for Table Mountain to be named one of the New7Wonders of Nature.
One of our most popular blogs was on the appearance of South African born WWE wrestler Justin Gabriel on the peak.
Lighting up the mountain
Photo courtesy Eleanor Muller
For many lighting up the mountain is a contentious issue. Some believe that it is a bad use of electricity, while others delight in the mystical glow that illuminates the landmark. The switching on of these lights is the responsibility of the City of Cape Town, and the Cableway does not decide when they are used. No matter how one feels, one cannot deny that the sight of our national icon lit up at night in red, blue, green or yellow is a truly majestic sight.
There were a number of occasions on which the mountain was lit up this year: for the 2011 Census, the World Design Capital 2014 bid (won by Cape Town), St. Patrick’s Day and World Aids Day.
21-millionth visitor
August was the month that Johan van Huyssteen became the 21-millionth visitor to the top of Table Mountain using a cable car. It is hard to believe that the one-millionth visitor was celebrated in 1959.
UFO sighting
In May the media and social networks were abuzz with talk of a UFO sighting above Table Mountain. We were finally able to identify the not-so-much flying object as lenticular clouds, which form due to strong winds over a major object.
Come into our parlour
2011 saw the opportunity to invite you, our valued reader and visitor, to see what happens behind the scenes in running an operation in such a unique location.
One of our more popular blogs was on the Table Mountain Café and how its delicious meals arrive on the summit. Unpredictable and costly, but the result is always a hot drink and meal on a cold day.
A year older
While we celebrated many milestones in 2011, one of the greatest was the Cableway turning 82 years old. The Cableway has undergone many changes since its inception in 1949, starting with a single cable car, international celebrity visits and royalty gracing our summit. The Cableway has also made a shift to environmental sustainability and education, and in its 82-year run has remained accident free.
In 2012 we hope to continue making your visits to Table Mountain safer, friendlier and more cost effective. We will also hope to continue engaging with visitors through our various social media platforms, and reward you for your support with fun, interactive competitions and incredible prizes. This year we commit to being even bigger, bolder and better!
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