Tourism News South Africa

Cape Town expands tourism experience, launches curated Khayelitsha tours

Cape Town Tourism has launched its Khayelitsha Curated Routes tour initiative to create new opportunities for residents. The Curated Routes differ as they offer an experience as opposed to a 'drive through' a township, challenging the traditional tourism model in townships where tourists are generally bussed into the neighbourhoods and often have minimal interaction with locals. Additionally, it is crafted in partnership with small-medium-and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) operated by local residents who reside within the area.
FreddieA via
FreddieA via Wikimedia Commons

The Curated Routes focuses on a variety of experiences that visitors can sign-up for, allowing them to meander through the neighbourhood experiencing the area's diverse activities and interacting with the most inspirational people, including artists, baristas and start-up business owners.

Through the revised Tourism Development Framework (TDF), which takes a new immersive approach to cultural tourism, it showcases all that Cape Town's largest township has to offer.

"I believe that this initiative could not have come at a better time as it demonstrates the significance of the revised TDF for Cape Town with the core focus of creating more community-based offerings. My immediate priority is to champion the implementation of this strategy that will boost cultural experiences and help diversify tourism products that will lead to more community involvement and economic benefits, says Alderman James Vos, City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and asset management.

The TDF builds on the previous framework and consists of five key goals which include ensuring visitor comfort, improving and diversifying products and experiences, stimulating demand, generating community involvement, benefits and support; and organising for growth.

"This new tourist offering showcases the importance of bringing to life new products and exciting experiences in areas that were previously marginalised and excluded from the tourism landscape," adds Vos.

The City's objective is to facilitate sustainable job creation in a depressed economic climate, to help establish 'touripreneurs' while transforming the tourism landscape in Cape Town into a thriving tourism business ecosystem.

"We are pleased to partner with Cape Town Tourism, the official destination marketing agency of the City of Cape Town, tasked with promoting and expanding the City's tourism offering," concludes Vos.

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