Wining and dining in the Cape

The 2006 Cape Wine and Food Tourism Conference is organised in collaboration with Cape Town Routes Unlimited, FEDHASA Cape, the International Culinary Tourism Association, the Wine Tourism Steering Committee of the SA Wine & Brandy Company and Thebe Conferences.

Chief Executive of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, Nokhuthula Dube says, "This conference will address the importance of wine and food tourism as a significant contributor to the economy of the Western Cape. We need to focus and develop strategies to innovate our product so that more visitors stay longer in the destination and therefore benefit the tourism economy of the Western Cape.

"The destination offers a diversity of experiences including culture, shopping, health and wellness, ecotourism, golf, scenic attractions and sun and sea, providing unique opportunities for creative and innovative packaging of wine tourism activities together with the overall Cape Town and Western Cape tourism experience."

Erik Wolf, President & CEO of the International Culinary Tourism Association says: "Consumer interest in food and drink is at an all time high, as is traveler interest in culinary tourism. We have seen a huge surge in the number of travelers who are making destination decisions based on unique and memorable culinary offerings.

"South Africa's wine and culinary tourism industries are primed to take off. The more professionals who know and learn about culinary and wine tourism, the easier it will be for South Africa to achieve leadership status in the world's wine and culinary tourism industries."

Thebe Conferences General Manager Zelda Ingram says: "The conference's vision is to position wineries, restaurants, tour operators, hotels and guesthouses to benefit from opportunities presented by the wine and food tourism."

The conference will be hosted at Môreson Estate in South Africa's Gourmet Capital - Franschhoek on 11 April. The theme of the Dinner is "The Best of Franschhoek - eat with the Big Five".