The Western Cape will embark on a global campaign to promote the region’s unique culture and heritage tourism offering. Alan Winde, Minister of Economic Opportunities, made the announcement ahead of Heritage Day tomorrow.
As part of his Tourism Month campaign, Minister Winde this morning (23 September 2015) joined the award-winning Cape Town on Foot and Bo-Kaap walks tour.
The tour, which has been awarded with Tripadvisor’s Certificate of Excellence, takes visitors through the city centre, the Company’s Garden and Bo-Kaap.
The Western Cape’s growth strategy, Project Khulisa, has identified tourism as a key growth sector.
“The tourism sector employs over 200 000 people and has the potential to add up to a further 100 000 jobs to the economy. To reach our growth objectives, we have devised a series of action plans informed by global tourism players and the private sector.
In the middle of putting our plans together, I had the opportunity to meet with Taleb Rifai, Secretary-General of the United Nations' World Tourism Organisation. He confirmed that South Africa’s unique strength was its culture and heritage, and specifically the legacy Madiba left us. It is time for us to embrace and celebrate our unique heritage by showcasing it to the world.
“As part of its culture and heritage tourism strategy, the Western Cape Government will drive the development of a Madiba Legacy Route, which will trace our former president’s journey to historical landmarks in the Western Cape. One of my proposals to do this is to create a statue of Madiba at the exact site he delivered his monumental speech after his release.”
Minister Winde said next year, the Western Cape Government, Wesgro and the private sector would kick off the development of a global culture and heritage tourism campaign.
“Culture and heritage tourism creates economic opportunities for residents and also celebrates the rich diversity of our province.”
For media queries, kindly contact:
Bronwynne Jooste
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
