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Wine tourism in the Western Cape has shown significant growth over the past year, with a 16% increase, according to the second annual Wine & Food Tourism study conducted by Wesgro.
According to Tim Harris, CEO of Wesgro, Franschhoek, Stellenbosch and Constantia remain the most popular destinations in the Western Cape with visiting wine enthusiasts.
Multiple factors have boosted awareness of South Africa as a wine tourism destination, says Harris: “Positive media coverage and internationally recognised wine awards have generated interest and investment in the evolving local wine industry…Specialist wine tour companies have done much in the way of showcasing boutique, off-the-beaten-track wine producers and properties.”
Another significant factor is that wine tourists show higher than average expenditure compared with general tourists when visiting the Western Cape.
Beverley Schäfer, Democratic Alliance Western Cape Spokesperson on Economic Opportunities, Tourism and Agriculture, says an increase in wine tourism, along with the Wine of Origin brand initiative for Cape Town-produced wine is creating a thriving industry that is increasing the country’s wine exports, growing provincial wine tourism and creating thousands of jobs for locals.
“I call on the Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, Tourism, and Agriculture, Alan Winde, to ensure that the Western Cape’s winelands receive the necessary support during the drought in order to sustain these industries. Our provincial water augmentation schemes must also protect our farmers and farm workers, as well as the thousands of jobs our thriving wine industry creates for our province,” said Schäfer.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za