‘Market township tourism’

AS VISITORS are expected to flock to Cape Town over the holiday season, tourism operators in the township want a chunk of the market.

The provincial government has predicted a “bumper season”, saying tourism recovery was gaining momentum after Covid-19 exacted a blow to the industry.

In 2021, tourism contributed about R5.8 billion to the provincial economy, with R800 million derived from the metro alone over the festive season.

Economic Opportunities MEC Mireille Wenger said in October that more than 269 016 people visited major attractions such as Robben Island, Table Mountain, National Park Boulders and the Cape of Good Hope, as well as the Cango Caves.

But Langa tour operator in Langa Siviwe Mbinda said many tourists also wanted to experience township life.

“For a long time township tourism was regarded as the ‘other side’ of Cape Town and little effort was made by authorities into marketing and actively driving footfall into it.

“We were basically left on our own to do the marketing as some of us couldn’t afford the marketing and commission costs charged by the authorities.”

Mbinda said he decided to market his company to avoid ‘getting crumbs of the market” by using social media.

After Covid-19, tourism interest had picked up again since July.

“The bookings for the summer season to January have been paid for and we have been busy. I had to buy another vehicle to meet the demand,” he said.

“The officials responsible for tourism do recognise our existence and the value we add to the city’s economy. But they also need to invest by providing supporting infrastructure and security.”

Mbindi said due to a trip he made to Spain before the 2010 Fifa Soccer World Cup as part of an initiative by the national government, he had been able to form a sustainable client base

from countries such as Uruguay, Spain and Mexico.

Until tourism operators in Khayelitsha formed an association, they relied heavily on word of mouth and referrals among themselves to promote their offerings.

One of the organisers of the Khayelitsha

Tourism Association, Loyiso Mfuku, said townships were “hardly included in the broader tourism marketing strategy” of the City.

“Tourists want authentic experiences with locals and the townships offer that experience. Efforts to co-ordinate those offerings are now taking shape as we have now started to address challenges and engage with the City with one voice and objective.”

Mfuku said no resources were allocated by the City to promote township tourism and no figures could be made available to reflect the contribution it made to the economy.

“The issue of safety alone needs the deployment of resources and if not addressed it would continue to hinder the township tourism growth.

“For example, Green Market Square which showcases crafters, has some security around it and cameras. We have crafters in Khayelitsha and a space for them to do the same at the Lookout which should receive the same investment so that tourists can come and buy from them.”

Mayco member for Economic Growth James Vos said the City didn’t allocate a marketing budget or direct funding towards the promotion of specific areas.

“Tourism marketing material and tourism industry buyer initiatives introduce tourists to township offerings and connect them with tourism operators/ service providers.”

Law Enforcement spokesperson Wayne Dyason said resources were deployed according to availability.

Dyason could not give responses specific to deployments of officers in Khayelitsha but said the Law Enforcement Advancement Plan had assisted in ensuring more “dedicated resources to some of the city’s crime hotspots”, including Khayelitsha.

Metro police said CCTV cameras in Khayelitsha were being vandalised.

“The City is investigating means of repurposing its infrastructure to mitigate the risk and impact of vandalism and theft of infrastructure, but this is a more long-term project,” said metro police spokesperson Ruth Solomons.