The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) and local tourism offices along the Western Cape’s picturesque Garden Route, in a partnership with Wesgro, SATSA and FEDHASA, have launched the Destination Garden Route and Klein Karoo project to promote the region and stimulate growth.

“The purpose of the project is to collaborate for the purposes of tourism promotion of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region in a manner that embodies strategic cohesiveness and the efficient utilisation of resources between the stakeholders,” said GRDM Executive Mayor, Memory Booysen.

He said the stakeholders in the region had all recognised the need for a co-ordinated approach when implementing the project and, to this end, had concluded a Memorandum of Understanding. Booysen said the partnership would enable businesses to enhance the value chain of tourism in the district

“The areas of collaboration include but are not limited to marketing and promotion, events, strategic initiatives – including cruise and air route development – and tourism, with the purpose of conducting joint marketing and development initiatives, as amended from time to time by the steering committee,” said SATSA COO, Hannelie du Toit. 

Chief Marketing Officer at tourism promotion agency Wesgro, Monika Iuel, pointed out: “The Garden Route brand will now be promoted to domestic and international travellers in a joint approach, supported by government and the private sector.” 

Insights

Stretching from Witsand to Plettenberg Bay, Oudtshoorn, Calitzdorp and Ladismith on the world-renowned Route 62, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo is a place of immense natural beauty; offering an abundance of adventure, beaches, world-class golf courses and award-winning dining experiences. 

• According to a recent Wesgro report, in 2021, passengers through George Airport grew by 58% from 2020 and reached a 64% recovery rate when compared with 2019. 
• In the same year, visitors to four attractions in the Garden Route & Klein Karoo – Cango Caves, Tsitsikamma National Park, Wilderness National Park and Knysna National Park – grew by 10% when compared with last year, and recovered to 42% of what was recorded in 2019. 
• Based on mobile location data insights from 89 307 domestic and 767 international tourists, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo district was a popular overnight destination for both domestic and international tourists. 
• Both international and domestic tourists stayed for an average of 3.3 days in the region. 
• Germany, the  US and India were the top three international source markets in 2021. 
• South African visitor numbers were highest in April and December, which coincides with the Easter and festive season breaks.