To reignite the domestic tourism market that has been hard hit by Covid-19 and the lockdown period, South African Tourism has conceptualised the “Summer Differently” marketing campaign – which the Northern Cape Tourism Authority is complementing with its own campaign showcasing the province’s must-do summer experiences.

The campaign slogan and call to action is #SummerDifferently, and it exhorts South Africans to take the road less travelled and explore the myriad dorpies, towns and villages of the Northern Cape this summer.

A parallel campaign, Explore and Know Your Province, invites Northern Cape locals to travel around their own neighbourhoods and surrounds – and explore the accessible experiences right on their doorsteps.

The campaign was launched at the Ditshoswane Community Art Centre in Ikhutseng in mid-November, showcasing the tourism experiences of nearby Hartswater and Warrenton – two of the province’s lesser-known towns.

The Northern Cape’s MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, is leading the campaign to welcome visitors to the Northern Cape.

“Summer holidays represent that time of the year when families and friends can come together and spend more time to reconnect with each other and rediscover the unique tourism experiences of the Northern Cape,” he said.

“Now it is time to go out and discover our beautiful province and join a nationwide journey to celebrate our rich, diverse landscape, and our melting pot of cultural and adventure experiences that awaits everybody in the Northern Cape.”

Roosterkoek (grilled bread rolls) made on the braai … delicious! There’s plenty to do, see and tuck into at the Ditshoswane Community Art Centre in Warrenton. (Image: Northern Cape Tourism)

If you’re travelling from Johannesburg to Cape Town, why not take your time and make a road trip of it through the Northern Cape? You can reach your destination by taking the road(s) less travelled via the N12, N14, N1, N7, N18 and R63 roads, making regular stops to break up your journey. 

Alternatively, come to the Northern Cape as a holiday destination in itself and explore any one or a combination of seven routes criss-crossing the entire province, offering memorable family adventures, vast landscapes and engaging cultural experiences. 

To take advantage of the many amazing special summer offers offered by establishments in the Northern Cape, visit www.www.experiencenortherncape.com or follow Northern Cape Tourism on social media for more details. 

We shall never forget … Kgosi Galeshewe, who led a rebellion against the colonial government and after whom the township of Galeshewe is named, is buried near Hartswater. (Image: Northern Cape Tourism)

Visitors are reminded that the Northern Cape is a safe travel destination. Please support and adhere to the Covid-19 health protocols of washing hands regularly, wearing cloth masks and keeping a safe social distance at all times.

During the summer period visitors, business owners and residents are further encouraged to keep the province’s towns, taxi ranks and communities clean and litter-free. 

The Northern Cape supports the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children, and we encourage our tourism partners and ambassadors to unite and work together to end this scourge.

For media enquiries, please contact Tebogo Velembo, the marketing communications officer at the Northern Cape Tourism Authority, at +27 (0)71 462 3150 or email [email protected].