CapeNature has brought tour guides and tourism operators together at Stony Point Nature Reserve to strengthen their knowledge of the site and support more informed and responsible visitor experiences.
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The first CapeNature tour guide and operator workshops were held at Stony Point on 26 and 27 August, covering the reserve’s history, biodiversity, African Penguin colony, conservation work and responsible behaviour by visitors and tour guides.
CapeNature representatives and conservation partners SANCCOB and WWF took part in the workshops, giving participating tour guides an opportunity to learn directly from conservation practitioners and develop a deeper understanding of the site they take visitors through.
New guide manual launched
A new Stony Point Tour Guide Manual was launched during the workshops. Developed by CapeNature in partnership with SANCCOB, the manual provides information on the African Penguin colony, other birdlife, wildlife and ecosystems at the reserve, along with practical guiding tips and key conservation messages.
The resource is intended to give tour guides reliable information when engaging with visitors, helping them answer questions accurately while reinforcing responsible behaviour around wildlife.
CapeNature CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo said tour guides play an important role in connecting tourism with conservation.
“Tour guides are often the first point of contact between visitors and our protected areas. Giving them accurate and relevant conservation knowledge strengthens the visitor experience and helps ensure that visitors understand how to interact responsibly with wildlife and the environment.”
The initiative also aims to help guides provide greater context around Stony Point’s biodiversity and conservation work, rather than simply showing visitors what they can see.
Tourism sector shows strong interest
The workshops come as visitors increasingly seek more experiential offerings at tourism attractions, according to CapeNature.
The initiative is intended to equip tour guides to provide richer experiences that connect visitors with Stony Point’s biodiversity, conservation work and broader significance.
Interest from the tourism sector was reflected in the first workshop reaching capacity within 24 hours of invitations being distributed through CapeNature’s tourism partners.
The workshops form part of CapeNature’s efforts to strengthen collaboration with the tourism industry and promote responsible tourism in protected areas.
