CapeNature's tourism offerings boost local economies
This year, World Tourism Day is celebrated on 27 September 2020. World Tourism Day heightens the sector’s unique ability to drive economic development and its contribution to the South African economy. It is no coincidence that Heritage Month and Tourism Month,
including World Tourism Day, fall within the same month. Tourism plays a significant role in preserving and promoting culture and heritage.
In a time where tourism has experienced its most challenging year, with job losses and forced business closures due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, CapeNature shines the spotlight on positive local community development resourcefulness. The 2020 international theme is "Tourism and Rural Development." In aligning to this, CapeNature has prioritised its access mandate for all and uses activities as a tool for the skills development of youth to make a success of their heritage.
With nearly 98% of the entity’s footprint based in the rural landscape of the Western Cape, CapeNature takes its eco-tourism mandate very seriously, hence it continues to be the number one income generator for the entity. Over a number of years, CapeNature has rolled out award-winning strategic tourism infrastructure developments and signed a number of new concession and partnership agreements with private sector businesses, which includes major capital investments in protected areas. Collectively, all of this has resulted in noticeable economic stimulation in rural towns across the Western Cape in the form of job creation, skills development, the procurement of local goods and services and the creation of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME) opportunities.
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.”
Related News
Picking a wildflower? Everyday choices can amount to biodiversity crime in Protected Areas
Biodiversity crime is often associated with poaching or illegal wildlife trafficking, but some of the most common offences threatening the Western Cape's environment stem from the everyday actions of ordinary visitors to Protected Areas. Entering Protected Areas without a valid permit, fishing without the required licence, leaving designated hiking trails, picking wildflowers, removing rocks or shells as souvenirs, or disturbing wildlife may seem harmless, but
CapeNature Cubs Club celebrates Kai's second birthday with a day of fun, friendship and recognition
CapeNature's Cubs Club celebrated the second birthday of its beloved mascot, Kai the Leopard Cub, on Thursday, 16 July 2026, at Helderberg Nature Reserve, bringing together children, families, and partners for a day of fun and environmental celebration. The special occasion welcomed children from three orphanages – Goeie Hoop, Hope & Light, and Heartlands Baby Sanctuary – who were given the opportunity to join in the festivities and experience a day
World Seabird Day calls attention to public role in responding to ongoing avian influenza threat affecting birds
As the world marks World Seabird Day today, members of the public are urged to remain vigilant as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, continues to affect birds across South Africa, including seabirds along the Western Cape coastline. HPAI is a serious disease affecting birds and can result in significant mortality, particularly among wild bird populations. Members of the public are
CapeNature’s marine conservation work showcased in new kykNET adventure series ‘Hey Skipper’
The beauty, biodiversity and conservation value of the Western Cape’s coastline will be shown to audiences across South Africa when CapeNature features in the new primetime Afrikaans series, Hey Skipper, premiering on DStv Channel 144 kykNET on Saturday, 4 July 2026 at 18:00. Produced and presented by adventurer, filmmaker and outdoor enthusiast Dewald Visser, Hey Skipper takes viewers on a journey across some of the world’s most
The perfect time for a family escape into nature
Winter in the Western Cape is often misunderstood. While many people think of it as a season best spent indoors, it is actually one of the most rewarding times to slow down, reconnect, and take a short break close to home. For domestic travellers, especially families planning around the school holidays, winter offers the ideal opportunity to step away from routine without the stress of long travel or high-season crowds. It is a chance to rediscover what is right on your doorstep.
Newly discovered species named after CapeNature Ecologist, Dr Martine Jordaan
A newly described Paradiplozoon species has been named after CapeNature Fauna Ecologist, Dr Martine Jordaan, in recognition of her knowledge and passion for the aquatic life of the Cape Fold Ecoregion, continuous enthusiasm to study the region's fishes and understanding their parasitofauna. The newly identified species – Paradiplozoon jordaanae – is named after Dr Jordaan.