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THE NORTHERN CAPE CELEBRATES TOURISM MONTH

The Northern Cape’s provincial Tourism Month celebrations kicked off in the Namakwa district on Monday 21 September 2020. Tourism Month is celebrated every September with Heritage Month, whose theme this year is “Celebrating South Africa’s Living Human Treasures”. The issue of our living human treasures is very relevant since much of our indigenous knowledge still needs to be excavated, coded and stored is available from our many living archives.

The Northern Cape’s MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Abraham Vosloo, launched the provincial celebrations at Namakwa Guest Farm on Monday, joined by South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona, the executive mayor of the Namakwa District Municipality, officials from the Northern Cape Tourism Authority and the provincial Department of Tourism, and members of the media.

On 22 September 2020, the delegation and guests were due to visit the rural areas of the region to witness the experiences that are aligned to the global World Tourism Day and month theme, “Tourism and Rural Development”which promotes awareness of ways for tourism to achieve its social, cultural, political and economic value with a concerted focus on rural communities.

On World Tourism Day, various countries and cultures celebrate a multiplicity of region-based activities, whether it’s the promotion of special tariffs and/or broadening access to facilities through mass-based free access to parks.

This year, the Northern Cape’s Provincial Tourism Day celebrations focus on the province’s small dorpies, villages and townships to promote rural tourism through sustainable tourism experiences, which ultimately contribute towards the national tourism footprint.

There is no reason why the Northern Cape should not be at the top of the most-visited destinations in the country, as it boasts six national parks, five provincial nature reserves and private game reserves, unique cultural experiences, beautiful landscapes, stargazing and the country’s two largest rivers: the Vaal and Orange rivers. 

“I want to thank the people of the Namakwa for hosting the Provincial Tourism Day celebrations. This event is a special day on our tourism calendar, and we are privileged to celebrate it in a place of such incredible natural and cultural beauty while it’s at the peak of its annual flower season. We are gathering in the region to have fun, but also to raise awareness about the importance of tourism in all our lives while we adhere to the Covid-19 health protocols,” said the MEC during the launch. 

“Our view is that the success of the tourism product will be determined largely by the level and extent of co-operation between governments, the private sector and communities.” 

During his address when moving the country to the alert Level 1 of the Covid-19 national regulations, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that travel into and out of South Africa will again be permitted for business, leisure and other reasons with effect from 1 October 2020. 

The Northern Cape is a melting pot of cultures, nature and adventure treasures. Visitors to the province are spoiled for choice when it comes to witnessing some of the world’s best attractions that are located in the Northern Cape, and we are ready to welcome them to start rebuilding the economy of the province. 

As a tourist destination known for REAL culture, REAL nature, REAL adventure and business tourism, the province’s tourism industry is looking forward to welcoming domestic and international visitors to our destination once more.

For more information, please contact Tebogo Velembo, Marketing Communications Officer at the Northern Cape Tourism Authority, at +27 (0)71 462 3150, or email [email protected].