SA Police Safer Festive Season Campaign
Tourists visiting the Cape West Coast of South Africa generate stable revenue streams, create new permanent job opportunities, and help preserve the unique cultural and natural heritage. However, this is only possible through a safe tourism environment, which is why West Coast Way again welcome the annual South African Police Services Safer Festive Season operations drive.
“Ongoing efforts to secure the West Coast of South Africa as a safe destination, offering extraordinary nature, adventure, and hyper-localised cuisine experiences, has firmly positioned the West Coast National Park on the top 5 list of Western Cape attractions with the highest year-on-year visitors growth rates in August 2023. Other attractions are Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Table Mountain National Park, Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area, and Harold Porter National Botanical Garden,” explains Carmen Lerm, founder of West Coast Way
South Africa’s tourism sector continues to exhibit strong recovery with the first half of 2023 recording more than 4 million tourist arrivals. This is a significant increase from the 2,3 million tourist arrivals between January and June 2022.
A Weskus Festive Season of tranquility awaits
Weskus Festive Season: Kraalbaai Lifestyle House Boats in West Coast National Park
Tourism Is One Of South Africa’s Key Economic Sectors
Tourism has a positive economic impact on the balance sheet, employment, gross income and production. Crime, on the other hand, can have a very negative effect on tourism. “Crime can impede tourism by significantly damaging South Africa’s image and the Cape West Coast’s reputation as a much-loved vacation spot. The SA tourism industry doesn’t want tourists to become victims of crime. Therefore, the most important prerequisite for a successful tourist industry is a reputation for having crime under control and communicating tourism safety,”
Between January and August 2023, Cape Town recorded a total of 562,818 tourist arrivals via air, of which 90% originated from overseas markets and 10% from the African continent. Many of these tourists also explored the Cape West Coast of South Africa.
Tourism Collaboration Is The Key To Safety
Visible policing this season reflects the personal, financial, psychological, and social security efforts made to protect tourists. And all of this can play an instrumental role in increasing tourism numbers. In order to prevent crime and to create a safe environment for tourists, it is necessary to ensure the collaboration, and cooperation, of all stakeholders involved in tourism: the tourism industry, local communities, national authorities, and SA police services.
International Visitor Growth To Aid In Preserving Weskus Culture
Despite globalisation and digitisation, tourists still favour local goods, services, and experiences, making the Cape West Coast an attractive destination. Tourism can help promote and preserve our unique “Weskus” culture and traditions, encouraging residents to take pride in their community and share local cultural experiences with international visitors this Weskus Festive Season.
Vibrant Weskus Festive Season
“Ensuring a safe and secure environment for tourists is a critical aspect of the tourism industry. By taking significant efforts to increase security measures, providing tourists with information, and encouraging responsible behavior among locals, we can create an environment that is safe and welcoming for travelers from all over the world.” concludes Lerm.
Carmen Lerm, founder of West Coast Way
West Coast Way is Your Route To Nature
West Coast Way is your ultimate gateway to experiencing the natural beauty and cultural richness of the Cape West Coast of South Africa. As a premium tourism brand, we offer six uniquely themed trip plans that promise an unforgettable journey: Cape, Culture, Foodie, Tractor, Berg, and Wild.
Discover over 101 incredible things to see and do with West Coast Way:
Savour the delights of wine, craft beer, olives, and Rooibos tea tastings. Indulge in authentic Weskus cuisine and the traditional braaivleis (barbecue). Feel the thrill of swinging into Citrusdal on a zipline or challenge yourself with Cederberg bouldering. Rejuvenate in natural warm pools and embark on serene cruises across lagoons and rivers. Explore the diverse landscapes of nature reserves and a National Park, or embark on exciting game drives. Hone your skills in archery and angling, or amp up the excitement with sandboarding and quad-biking. Enjoy horse riding, immerse yourself in the unique San culture, and experience the vibrant Riel dancing. For water sports enthusiasts, kite- and windsurfing, surfing, and kayaking trips await. Go beach hopping, learn about bees and whales, and delight in birdwatching in a twitcher’s paradise – all within South Africa’s renowned wildflower reserve.
For more information on the best places to visit on the West Coast, road tripping routes, hikes, tours, and trails, explore westcoastway.co.za or call West Coast Way on 0861 321 777. Follow us on on Instagram, Facebook, X and LinkedIn @WestCoastWaySA.