Re-thinking responsible tourism with CapeNature through sustainability
World Tourism Day is internationally commemorated on 27 September on an annual basis, and in 2022, the focus will return to reimagining the future of tourism. CapeNature manages more than one million hectares of land in the Western Cape and this includes invaluable natural assets such as mountains, fynbos, water catchment areas, rivers, estuaries and a spectacular coastline.
Several of CapeNature’s protected areas enjoy the highest levels of protection at both an international and national level and are recognised and protected under the national Protected Areas Act, including Marine Protected Areas. Certain protected areas are also inscribed World Heritage Sites (outstanding universal value) or Ramsar sites (wetlands or seabird hotspots of international status). The recent METT-SA assessment of 2022 is a good indication that CapeNature protected areas are well managed, with 94% of the areas managed by the entity falling in the “Sound Category”, meaning it achieved a METT score of over 67%.
September marks Tourism Month which is an exciting time for South Africans as they are encouraged to explore the many hidden gems available right on their doorstep. Amongst its Western Cape tourism partners, CapeNature once again opened its doors to all local and international visitors by hosting its annual free Access Week from 20-27 September 2022. Visitors to participating reserves in the Western Cape received the opportunity to reconnect with their natural heritage by exploring and experiencing the sights and sounds of nature.
Ms Mireille Wenger, Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities urges businesses to rethink how we do tourism: “September highlights the importance of promoting responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism. This means symbiosis between people and the planet and working together towards a shared vision for a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient sector. Sustainable tourism development has been a key priority for CapeNature in its approach to establishing and maintaining its tourism product offerings. These efforts have been recognised globally and locally through accolades such as the Holcim Foundation Award: Sustainable Tourism Design - 2010, Top 50 in Africa’s Finest: Sustainable and Responsible Development - 2013, The South African Institute of Civil Engineering: Best National Environmental Engineering Project - 2015 and the AfriSam Award: Sustainable Architecture and Innovation - 2016.”
CapeNature focuses on developing nature-based recreational and tourism products by leveraging the province’s natural assets in such a way that protected areas become sought after tourist destinations, and more accessible and attractive to a greater portion of our population. CapeNature products offer a range of modern sustainable features such as rainwater harvesting, recycling water for irrigation purposes, waterless toilets, and solar power for water heating, lighting, and pool pumps.
CapeNature CEO, Dr. Razeena Omar, avidly advocates sustainable tourism: “Projects are carefully planned to avoid and mitigate any local environmental harm while also optimising the use of green building technology. Over the last six years tourism revenue income has grown by 14%. Revenue growth can be attributed to the significant increase in domestic visitors, attraction of new visitors and sustained marketing campaigns and messaging. We look forward to steadily contributing to the tourism economy of the Western Cape as the sector continues to make great strides”.
Stay up to date and download the CapeNature visitor app to explore more responsible tourism in the Western Cape. http://app.capenature.co.za/promo/capenatu
MEDIA ENQUIRIES:
Petro van Rhyn, pvrhyn@capenature.co.za, cell: 071 231 7576
Glamping units at Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve
Six-sleeper unit at the award-winning Mbali Collection in Kogelberg Nature Reserve
Related News
Western Cape fire season shows record early intensity and significant increase in fire activity
The 2025–2026 summer fire season began with exceptional intensity for CapeNature – official statistics showed a sharp rise in fire ignitions, high temperatures, and a large expanse of burnt areas across the Western Cape. Historically, the fire season is considered to run from 1 October to 31 March. However, activity began as early as September 2025, well before the traditional high-risk period from November onwards.
Wildfires intensify as climate shifts, CapeNature warns in emergency podcast series
CapeNature has released a special series of its acclaimed Green Noise podcast, offering an urgent and deeply human perspective on South Africa’s recent wildfire season. The series has a particular focus on the devastating fires in the Cederberg Wilderness and changing weather patterns. The fire in the Cederberg Wilderness, which ignited on 22 December 2025 along Uitkyk Pass
Western Cape to benefit from CapeNature’s 2026 Greening Initiative
CapeNature is launching a fun and engaging greening competition for schools and communities across the Western Cape. The competition will start on 13 April 2026 to coincide with International Plant Appreciation Day and will run until 15 May 2026. The initiative aims to inspire learners and community members to actively participate in protecting the environment.
A follow up: The potential impacts of Red Swamp crayfish in Western Cape waters
Since first being found in the canal systems of lower Olifants River in 2022 by CapeNature officials, invasive Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) are being found further afield in the Western Cape at an alarming rate. This freshwater species is globally recognised as a seriously damaging invasive species.
Over 43 000 Cape Gannets on Lambert’s Bay Bird Island this breeding season
Bird Island is alive with the sounds and spectacle of seabirds, with an estimated over 43 000 Cape Gannets currently making the island their home this breeding season. The thriving colony reinforces Bird Island, Lambert’s Bay, as one of South Africa’s most important gannet breeding sites and highlights the impact of ongoing marine conservation work.
Water Week: Protecting Our Most Precious Resource
Water is fundamental to life and essential to our daily wellbeing. While this may seem widely understood, it remains important to continually remind ourselves of the value of this finite resource. Although approximately 70% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, only about 2.5% of it is freshwater available to sustain ecosystems and human needs.