Enjoy being a tourist in your own backyard

Source: Sunday Independent, 28/08/2016

Johannesburg - The growth of domestic tourism in South Africa depends
on the accessibility and affordability of the country's tourist
attractions.


This was the message delivered by Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom at
the launch of Tourism Month at Gariep Dam in the Free State this
week.


Minister of Tourism Derek Hanekom addresses the Tourism Month launch
at Forever Resorts at the Gariep Dam. Under the #TourismForAll theme,
everyone is encouraged to travel locally. Picture: Paballo
Thekiso.

Credit: INLSA
Hanekom said improvements had to be made in communicating the joy and
value that travel brings to locals.


He highlighted that tourism was booming with international arrivals up
15.4 percent in the first six months of this year when compared with
last year.


SA Tourism launched its campaign with the theme #TourismForAll to
coincide with the World Tourism Day.


The tourism body said the main focus for this year was accessibility
to those with disabilities, as well as the issue of affordability.


The primary aim is to change people's perception of being a tourist in
their own country and show that it can be affordable.


It encouraged people to travel throughout the year instead of just in
December, and also showed people alternative ways of holidaying, such
as caravanning instead of staying at hotels.


Tourism Month celebrations alternate among the six less-popular
provinces.


This year's province of choice is the Free State.


The Sunday Independent tagged along on the Sho`t Left adventure for a
week, visiting Deneysville, Parys and Xhariep, as well as
Bloemfontein.


The adventure tour started in Deneysville with the crocs and lions at
the Deneys Croc Ranch.


An interesting stop on the way to Parys was the Vredefort Dome, the
largest as well as one of the oldest known meteor impact sites in the
world. It is South Africa's seventh World Heritage Site and a place of
outstanding cultural and historical importance.


From there the journey took us quad-biking and abseiling at sunset,
ending with a beer tasting at the Dog and Fig Brewery in Parys.


The next day was filled with river-rafting on the Vaal River followed
by a long drive to Xhariep to enjoy the scenery at the Gariep Dam.


Tourism SA is running a competition where entrants stand a chance to
win one of three dream getaways worth R10 000 each.