Move to revive battered Cape tourism sector

IN AN effort to promote domestic tourism in the province, the Western Cape government and Wesgro will be launching the “We are Open” campaign today.

The campaign highlights the best that the Western Cape has to offer, and showcases how the province can easily match experiences on offer elsewhere in the world.

This as the province recorded an additional seven deaths, bringing the total number of Covid-19-related deaths to 3 868.

As of 1pm yesterday, the Western Cape had 4 048 active cases of Covid19, with a total of 104 973 confirmed cases and 97 057 recoveries. To date 481 737 tests have been conducted while 2 293 cases are unallocated. The number of hospitalised patients stands at 790, with 161 in ICU or high care.

Premier Alan Winde said tourism was a key sector in the Western Cape creating thousands of jobs, and the impact of the lockdown had been severe. “Thousands of jobs have been lost in the tourism sector, and your support can help to save jobs now. If you can afford to, we call on you to visit a local tourism attraction in your city, book a tour to experience a neighbourhood you’ve never visited or enjoy a weekend away in our province,” he said.

Tomorrow the Table Mountain Cableway will reopen for visitors, as will the Two Oceans Aquarium.

“Last week, a number of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Sports’ affiliated museums received the go-ahead to reopen their doors, among them Togryers Museum in Ceres, Caledon Museum, the Huguenot Memorial in Franschhoek, the Lwandle Migrant Labour Museum, the Shipwreck Museum in Bredasdorp and Stellenbosch Museum. Several others are awaiting the go-ahead to reopen.”

Winde called on travellers to take precautions so that the sector could open safely.