Mr Sheraaz Ismail, Executive Director for Eco-Tourism and Access at CapeNature explains the value add tourism creates: “Tourism is not just about getting to your final destination, it is an immersive experience which starts from the time you get into your vehicle and includes

stopping at a fuel station on route to fill up, visiting quaint and interesting coffee and curio shops along the way and taking in the local cultural sights and sounds of what is on offer. The Western Cape is blessed with natural and scenic beauty in many ways from the West

Coast, to the Cape Winelands, the Overberg, the Karoo and Garden Route, each offering very unique tourism experiences and products. CapeNature is proud to be part of the tourism family doing its part to improving the livelihoods of so many people and communities

in our vibrant and colourful rural landscapes.” CapeNature has renewed and improved a number of its eco-tourism offerings in the rural

areas of the Western Cape and this will boost the local economies. Nine new units have been added as part of a second phase at Kogelberg Nature Reserve, which is considered the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom.

CapeNature CEO, Dr Razeena Omar says, “CapeNature partnered with the Craft and Design Institute (CDI) for the interior décor of the units. This project will contribute towards developing young creatives and SMMEs within the craft and design sector in South Africa at

large.” 

The popular De Hoop Nature Reserve, managed through the sector’s first Private Public Partnership between government and De Hoop Collections, has been placed as a firm favourite on the international tourism map, because of this partnership. Three formal agreements are in place with people from the local communities of Swellendam and Bredasdorp, providing a substantial number of job opportunities.

Dr Omar adds: “Through the sustainable development of new tourism products and community engagement efforts, CapeNature is confident that we are tapping into a vast capability to create jobs and an interest in nature conservation studies in an effort to reduce the country’s unemployment rate for positive economic growth.”