SA: Statement by Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Tourism, on bumper events and tourism weekend for the Western Cape (28/03/2013)

28th March 2013

The Western Cape Government welcomes all local and international tourists visiting our Province for the Easter long weekend.
 
The full range of activities on offer over the long weekend is available on Wesgro, our Destination Marketing Agency’s website - http://tourismcapetown.co.za/destination-marketing

In addition to visiting our numerous world-class tourist attractions, we encourage all visitors to support all the big events taking place in the Western Cape this weekend:
 
·        The ABSA Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunsfees (KKNK) from Friday, 29 March to Saturday, 6 April 2013 in Oudtshoorn;
·        The Ajax Cape Town VS AmaZulu soccer match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday, 29 March 2013;
·        The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on Saturday, 30 March 2013;
·        The Kirstenbosch Summer Concert (Mi Casa and Natasha Meister) in Cape Town on Sunday, 31 March 2013; and
·        The Raka Festival  from Sunday, 31March 2013  to Wednesday, 3 April 2013 in Swellendam
Western Cape Minister of Tourism, Alan Winde said: “Big events are key to the Western Cape’s tourism strategy as they are drivers of economic growth and jobs. Two of our biggest events taking place this weekend – the Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees and Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon - will add an estimated R95 million and R80 million to our economy respectively.”
 
Minister Winde continued: “In the year ahead, our Convention Bureau will prepare twenty bids for conferences and conventions worth an estimated economic value of R360 million. During the same period, three Joint Marketing Agreements will be secured, and support will be provided to 27 events with an estimated economic value of R1.2 billion. Through these initiatives we aim to increase international tourist arrivals to 1 300 000 and domestic arrival to 2 000 000 resulting in direct spend of between R8 billion and R13 billion in our region in 2013/14. This increase in direct spend will benefit the people of our province.”
 
“The enjoyment and wellbeing of our guests, and locals alike, is of paramount importance to us. We encourage all visitors to have fun while in the Western Cape, but also do so safely and responsibly.” Minister Winde added.