Last week (October 28 and 29), the Western Cape Government and Wesgro hosted events in Johannesburg and Durban to officially launch the “We Are Open” tourism campaign in our key domestic markets, showcasing our new campaign videos which encourage visitors to get that faraway feeling in Cape Town and the Western Cape.
The highlight of the launch events was the unveiling of the seven “We Are Open” campaign videos which each showcase a unique region of the Western Cape and compares it to an international equivalent, reinforcing the fact that visitors can experience a world within one province in the Western Cape.
To view the “We Are Open” campaign videos, visit the Feels Like Faraway blog. Engaging with tourism trade, influencers, and media at the in-market events, the “We Are Open” campaign activations encouraged all those living in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to visit and explore the beauty and diversity of the many affordable and world-class attractions that Cape Town and the Western Cape has to offer.
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on international travel, there are many whose plans to travel abroad can no longer go ahead. And so, the “We Are Open” campaign asks them to consider travelling to Cape Town and the Western Cape instead and take advantage of our beautiful natural and cultural assets that rival the likes of Italy, Sweden, France, Bali and more.
By building awareness and ensuring a broad reach of the travel message, the “We Are Open” campaign is supported by a mix of social content, digital display advertising, and local influencers in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The campaign will encourage holidaying experiences through targeted and compelling holiday promotions.
Not only is the Western Cape region world-class in its immense beauty, but it is also affordable for all South Africans, and in particular, families. This is evident by the many tourism businesses in the Western Cape that have signed-on to the “Kids Stay Free” initiative.
With offers for children to stay free at participating travel and accommodation partners across the Western Cape, there is no doubt that the Western Cape is also a family-friendly, value-for-money holiday destination. For more information on the Kids Stay Free campaign, visit: https://wesgro.travelstart.co.za/
Western Cape MEC of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier said: “We’d like to ask those living in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal to consider visiting Cape Town and the Western Cape to experience a world within one province. That is why I’m so excited about our “We Are Open” campaign which showcases each of our unique regions in the Western Cape and highlights how you can get that “faraway feeling” when you visit us.
“We acknowledge our tourism counterparts in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal and look forward to welcoming travellers from both provinces this summer season. The Western Cape is travel-ready and I hope that you will visit us soon.”
With a total of 75 373 domestic passenger arrivals at Cape Town International Airport for the first three weeks of October 2020, the province hopes to see numbers increase as the festive season draws closer.
In a message to Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal travellers, Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris, said, “Many people’s international holidays were cancelled due to the lockdown. Cape Town and the Western Cape is full of experiences that match some of the world’s favourite destinations and we want to show people just how diverse and world-class it truly is. This campaign will highlight our world-class locations, where you will feel like you could be anywhere in the world.”
Picture: Unsplash