The mayor of Cape Town used the annual switch-on of festive lights to implore tourists to visit the South African city despite Omicron.

"Don't let travel bans, ruin your travel plans - come to Cape Town," Geordin Hill said after the lively ceremony on Tuesday (November 30).

His message appeared to have been mostly aimed at domestic tourists as many countries have already banned flights to South Africa after the country discovered the Omicron variant.

The UK, EU and US are among those who have imposed travel bans.

For the second consecutive year , the traditional Cape Town festive lights switch on happened without the usual crowds and ceremony.

Cape Town Mayor , Geordin Hill Lewis encouraged locals to travel to the mother city following travel bans imposed on South Africa after the discovery of the Omicron variant.

Hill Lewis also used the occasion to promote the mother city as a city of hope and light .