The launch of the Khayelitsha Curated Routes, which is an initiative that was conceptualised and implemented by Cape Town Tourism, has been an exciting journey.
“Khayelitsha is a community that is rich in culture and filled with incredible potential, people and places to explore. I am so proud of this initiative, which showcases the local offering whilst creating new opportunities for the residents.
The new approach challenges the traditional tourism model in townships where tourists are generally bussed into the neighbourhoods and often have minimal interaction with locals.
The Curated Routes differ largely as they offer an experience as opposed to a ‘drive through’ a township.
Additionally, it is crafted in partnership with small- medium- and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) operated by local residents who reside within the area.
The Curated Routes focuses on a variety of experiences that visitors can sign-up for, allowing them to meander through the neighbourhood experiencing the area’s diverse activities and interacting with the most inspirational people, including artists, baristas and start-up business owners.
Through the revised Tourism Development Framework (TDF), which takes a new immersive approach to cultural tourism, it showcases all that Cape Town’s largest township has to offer.
I believe that this initiative could not have come at a better time as it demonstrates the significance of the revised TDF for Cape Town with the core focus of creating more community-based offerings. My immediate priority is to champion the implementation of this strategy that will boost cultural experiences and help diversify tourism products that will lead to more community involvement and economic benefits.
The TDF builds on the previous framework and consists of five key goals which include
- ensuring visitor comfort,
- improving and diversifying products and experiences,
- stimulating demand, generating community involvement,
- benefits and support; and
- organising for growth.
This new tourist offering showcases the importance of bringing to life new products and exciting experiences in areas that were previously marginalised and excluded from the tourism landscape.
I believe that products, such as the township experience, show that we are an inclusive city and we are ready to break barriers with ground-breaking tourism offerings that open up new opportunities.
Tourism is a significant contributor to employment in our city that sustains around 300 000 jobs in total, making it the sector with the highest growth and employment potential.
The City’s objective is to facilitate sustainable job creation in a depressed economic climate, to help establish ‘touripreneurs’ while transforming the tourism landscape in Cape Town into a thriving tourism business ecosystem.
We are pleased to partner with Cape Town Tourism, the official destination marketing agency of the City of Cape Town, tasked with promoting and expanding the City’s tourism offering.
STATEMENT BY THE CITY’S MAYORAL COMMITTEE MEMBER FOR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND ASSET MANAGEMENT, ALDERMAN JAMES VOS
There are a variety of things to do and see in Khayelitsha. Information on the establishments that are a part of the Curated Routes can be found here
See also Cape Town Green Map
