New Cape West Coast tourist routes launched

Winfried Bruenken via Wikimedia Commons - West Coast Park

The West Coast Way Scenic Route begins in Malmesbury and includes Riebeek Valley, Hopefield, Koringberg, Moorreesburg, Yzerfontein and Darling. The West Coast Way Berg Route starts in Velddrif and follows a course through Laaiplek, Port Owen, Dwarskersbos, Rocherpan Nature Reserve, Elands Bay, Aurora, Redelinghuys and Verlorenvlei, the Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, Citrusdal, Eendekuil, Porterville, Piketberg, Wittewater and Goedverwacht – covering an area that stretches from the Berg River to the start of the Cederberg Mountains.

Turning small towns into viable tourist attractions

“It is an honour for me to officially launch the West Coast Way Scenic Route and the West Coast Way Berg Route – two new and exciting tourism routes within the West Coast District Municipal jurisdiction incorporating the areas of Swartland, Cederberg and Bergriver,” says Minister Vos - who stated his enthusiasm for the fact that the establishment of routes such as these make the small towns in these areas into viable tourist attractions, thereby driving the creation of jobs for the people within the communities.

“It is without a doubt that these new routes can lead to the development of local enterprises, increasing the demand for goods and services, and contribute to much needed employment. Tourism is an effective tool to create jobs, provide opportunities for small businesses, promote livelihoods for communities and bring South Africans together to share experiences.”

“Furthermore it must be mentioned that these scenic routes are located within an area of vast natural and cultural beauty – they will take visitors through some of the country's most awe-inspiring landscapes, where they will find plenty of fantastic attractions and charming towns to visit along the way,” says Vos.

An environment in which to grow and prosper

Cape West Coast executive mayor, Alderman Harold Cleophas says that tourism is the enabler in the West Coast and that the two strongest economic driving forces are Agriculture and Tourism - of which Tourism is the stronger of the two. “It brings about a sustainable environment for us in which to grow and prosper, and should tourism ever come to an end in the West Coast, we will be in an extremely disadvantageous space. The nurturing and development of tourism has the unique ability to give a lot back to the West Coast right away.”

Carmen Lerm, the founder of West Coast Way, explains that these two new routes will drive traffic from the N7 to both the surrounding inlands towns as well as the coastal regions and also serve to connect the inland areas with the sea – creating a sightseeing corridor. The two new routes will enhance the existing Cape to Namibia route by giving the opportunity to travellers to stop, explore and stay at towns in the Cape West Coast – thereby extending their experience of the Western Cape’s West Coast region.

Designed to showcase the Cape West Coast

Lerm says that like the previously launched West Coast Way Foodie and Culture Routes, these two new routes are designed to showcase the many attractions and activities that are already on offer on the Cape West Coast and inland areas - but may be unknown to many. “West Coast Way is a unique collection of themed routes that can be enjoyed by locals and visitors when they do an adventure-filled self-drive trip - the ultimate West Coast Way road tripping guide. Tour operators can use these routes as part of their itinerary and easily find what they need to put bespoke and new packages together.”

“West Coast Way stands for the road less travelled and showcases new experiences - with something different and fresh on offer every time,” says Lerm, who goes on to explain that the West Coast Way Trips offering also has unique options for visitors who don’t want to self-drive but prefer a chauffeured day out. “Amongst these are the Darling Wine and Beer Trip and culture themed trips. These trips are easily packaged and managed for tour operators who do not have a West Coast offering in their portfolio and now need a supplier – who can connect the visitor to the attractions in the Cape West Coast.”

“Whether your focus is sightseeing, photo opportunities, history, culture, food, family fun, fauna and flora or adventure and activities, the areas and towns traversed by the West Coast Way routes have so much to offer and we feel that it is important that potential visitors see the bigger picture. The small towns found along the Cape West Coast and inland off the N7 are about rich experiences, vibrant people, history and colours, beautiful unspoilt environment and the myriad of attractions and activities that can be enjoyed here.”

An overriding goal

Lerm goes on to advise that West Coast Way have an overriding goal of achieving growth for the stakeholders and communities on these routes, and says that in just over a year since the initial launch of the Culture and Foodie Routes results show a marked increase in visitors and interest in the targeted areas - proving that the establishment of these routes and the corresponding marketing initiative for the attractions on these routes have been a huge success for tourism development.

“Local businesses have attested to improved results since working with West Coast Way – amongst which has been increased visibility in the media and on social media, and increased visitor numbers,” says Lerm. “We look forward to affording the same results to the attractions on these new routes.”