Today, 3 September 2014 Western Cape MEC of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde, outlined the Western Cape Government’s plans for Tourism Month from the province’s newest tourism landmark.
Speaking from the Boomslang Treetop Canopy Walk in the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, MEC Winde said he hoped this would be our best tourism season yet: “Last year’s summer figures exceeded my expectations. For a number of factors, including recent international acclaim for our destination and a more favourable currency exchange rate for international tourists, I expect we might be able to top them”.
Later this month, MEC Winde will host a Tourism Plenary in the city centre: “I will be presenting the draft Western Cape Cycling Tourism Strategy at the plenary. This is our plan to eventually attract over 100 000 cyclists to our region per year for event and leisure cycling. We have the weather, the facilities and a wealth of interest already. We need to capitalise on this, with the support of the cycling fraternity.”
MEC Winde continued: “During this financial year, the province is expected to attract close to 3 million domestic and international visitors. We need to spread the economic benefits these visitors bring to our province. And we must give tourists more reasons to visit the Western Cape. This is where niche tourism products such as cycling tourism fit in. In addition, we are developing a series of new tourism routes designed to encourage visitors to take trips to rural areas”.
The local tourism sector will also be celebrated this month with the Western Cape Lilizela Awards which takes place on 11 September. Winners from the provincial competition go on to compete nationally. Last year the province’s industry won 15 accolades at the national awards.
“The Lilizela Awards recognise service excellence, as voted for by tourists. Great service is one of the key factors in repeat visits and the Western Cape’s establishments have set a high standard for service excellence. We had a great showing last year and I wish our sector well ahead of this year’s competition. I would also like to encourage tourists to cast their vote for entrants of the awards.”
On Monday, MEC Winde kicked off his Tourism Month programme by tackling the ongoing visa regulations issue. MEC Winde formally lodged a petition urging Parliament to suspend the new visa regulations. The new laws are expected to result in job losses of more than 20 000 across the country.
“For the long term sustainability of our tourism industry, it is important that these regulations are pulled back so that their potential impact can be reviewed”.
World Tourism Day is celebrated globally on 27 September 2014. The theme for this year is “Tourism and Community Development”.
Linked to this initiative, the National Tourism Department celebrates Tourism Month in September, under the theme of “Tourism Transforming Lives”.
In the province, tourism authorities are urging residents and visitors to “Discover Communities this Tourism Month”. Several marketing campaigns and activations are being run by Wesgro, the province’s destination marketing agency, this month to promote this theme.
For media queries:
Bronwynne Jooste, Spokesperson for MEC Alan Winde
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 082 454 4365
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
Twitter: @bronwynnejooste
