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Local tourism establishments in Langa and Bo-Kaap, Western Cape, will host some of the world’s top tourism industry buyers this week at World Travel Market (WTM) Africa.
Buyers from key source markets around the globe will explore Bo-Kaap, one of Cape Town’s most distinctive neighbourhoods, as well as experiencing life as a local in Langa, one of the city’s oldest townships. This will be done through a series of scheduled tours arranged by the City of Cape Town.
Local entrepreneurs have exhibited at WTM Africa for the past three years, with the City a supporter of the event since 2015. They have been able to meet and engage with top international tourism industry buyers and trade visitors, however this year the City decided to offer first-hand experiences of the tourism products in local areas.
In Langa, buyers will participate in a walking tour of the Langa Quarter, with 13 streets and a nucleus of 200 homes that have been transformed into restaurants, galleries, informal bars and craft stores. This will be followed by lunch with the locals.
The Bo-Kaap experience includes a visit to Auwal Masjid, the oldest mosque in South Africa, a stop at the oldest spice shop in the area, a visit to Bo-Kaap Museum and a Cape Malay cooking class at Faldela’s.
Cape Town Executive Mayor, Patricia de Lille, comments: “I am delighted that the travel industry royalty, potential buying customers with key decision-making power, will be afforded a first-hand experience of our local tourism gems. The exposure that these local tourism businesses will receive is invaluable. Through this opportunity, they have a chance to meet potential distributors and buyers, identify strategic partners and position themselves globally.”
This initiative is in line with the City’s goals as contained in the Organisational Development and Transformation Plan to promote economic inclusion and position Cape Town as a forward-looking, globally competitive business destination.
In addition to the tours, local travel technology company, Discoverikasi, will deliver a talk at WTM Africa’s Travel Tech Theatre on the development of townships as destinations and the challenges faced by small businesses in the tourism industry.
WTM Africa takes place on April 18-20, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za