West Coast tourism continues to grow despite drought

Source: Tourism Update, 07/08/2018

Fears that increased visitor numbers to the Cape West Coast would
impact the drought-stricken region’s water consumption over the summer
season have proved to be unfounded. Most visitors made efforts to save
water and many brought along their own water supplies, says West Coast
Tourism manager, Kiewiet van Rooyen.
Despite the drought, most West Coast towns experienced an increase in
visitors between December 15 and January 15 compared with the year
before; and most tourists drove there themselves and brought their own
water along, she says. The exceptions were Clanwilliam, where the low
dam level affected water activities; and the Namaqua West Coast and
the Swartland, which both reported fewer visitors.
The West Coast stretches from Cape Town to the border of the Northern
Cape, comprising five municipalities: Swartland, Bergrivier, Namaqua
West Coast, Cederberg and Saldanha Bay. According to Wesgro
statistics, the region attracts a mix of 32% international and 68%
domestic visitors. The UK, Germany and The Netherlands rank highest
among international source markets, while the Western Cape (64%) and
Gauteng (17.5%) dominate the domestic market. Most visitors are
self-drive couples, aged 36 to 70 years. Some 73% are on holiday, with
weddings/honeymoons and MICE emerging as a top new reason for visits.
Visitors spend R1000-R2000 (€68-135) a day on accommodation in the
region, the most popular being self-catering, B&Bs and guesthouses.
The top five activities include scenic drives, beaches,
culture/heritage, gourmet restaurants and outdoor activities.
New attractions and events across all five municipalities were
highlighted at a West Coast workshop in Cape Town recently:
• Swartland Tourism says Malmesbury’s Wine and Olive Route will
benefit from greater accessibility from Cape Town when the N7 becomes
a dual carriageway at the end of 2018 (www.swartlandwineandolives.co.za).
Meanwhile, Yzerfontein has seen the launch of the West Coast Explorers
Club, a cycling route that includes a bicycle hiring service, 10
bicycle park stations around Yzerfontein, an activity guide and route
map (www. explorersclub.co.za).
• Cederberg Tourism has a new Rooibos Route. Starting at the Rooibos
Tea House in Clanwilliam (which stocks more then 100 blends of the
brew), the route highlights cultivation, history, activities,
restaurants, wellness and accommodation. Visitors can plan their own
trips on an interactive route map on www.rooibis-route.co.za.
• Bergrivier Tourism launches a new home-stay programme in
Goedverwacht in April, where tourists can overnight and dine with the
residents of the former Moravian missionary station
(www.travelbergrivier.co.za/goedverwacht ).
- Bergrivier Tourism has also launched a new birding guide for
birdwatchers. Meanwhile, Piketberg has a new guided tour of historic
buildings (www.piketbergtourism.co.za) and Porterville offers tours of
the Mosaic House of artist Christel Griffiths
(www.portervilletourism.co.za).
• Saldanha Bay will see the opening in September of a new exhibition
centre at the West Coast Fossil Park near Vredenburg
(www.fossilpark.org.za). The Simply Bee Observation Centre near
Hopefield offers special package deals for tour groups
(www.simplybee.co.za/tours). Hopefield also hosts the ‘Spore Opi Sand’
festival on April 7; and an annual Fynbos Show in August.
• Namaqua West Coast Tourism is hosting the Expedition Africa
Adventure Race 2018, which will see teams of athletes compete in
navigation, trekking, mountain biking, kayaking and mountaineering
over 500km from May 18-27.