“The Cape Winelands District, 1 000 things to do and then some wine!” These words aptly describe the unique experiences available to visitors of the Cape Winelands District.
If you are visiting from upcountry or overseas and are wondering where to take your family, wonder no more. The new Cape Winelands Tourism Events and Route App was launched on September 12, 2019 by the Cape Winelands District Municipality’s (CWDM) division of Local Economic Development (LED). The app is available free of charge to both Android and Apple users and will assist local, national and international travellers in planning their visit to the Cape Winelands District (CWD).
“This app was developed with people in mind,” stated Cllr Kobus du Plessis, Mayoral Committee member and Portfolio Holder for LED during his address. The people of the CWD are the strength of our tourism industry. The manner in which they host, entertain and nourish our guests show us this, and the app is designed for people visiting our area who wish to be hosted, entertained and nourished!”
The app was the brainchild of the CWDM and was developed by Indigo New Media, a digital collaboration company building smart mobile apps that help to positively influence communities. The app allows the user to follow various routes – for example, if the users are interested in history, they can follow one of the historical routes, or try one of the culinary routes – and see where the two overlap, enabling them to enjoy a culinary experience in a historical building.
To ensure that the app was fully functional prior to the launch, the CWDM collaborated with the 14 local tourism associations (LTAs) and hosted a visit for members of the media, based on the Amazing Race principle. Contestants were required to make use of the app to find various businesses and activities before posting these on digital media platforms and the app.
“What I truly enjoy about the app is that it shows the hidden gems and little known businesses that do not always have the resources to advertise on a national or international platform,” shared Glen Hunt of Swirl and Spice who was part of the team that visited the Breede Valley.
Amy-Rae Rispe of Cape Talk spoke of her delightful visit to the Langeberg area and shared with the audience that, while browsing the App, she had enjoyed learning of the lesser or unknown attractions such as the Herb Festival taking place in Montagu in October.
Marletta Mundey of Montagu/Ashton LTA discussed the role of the LTA in the community and stated, “In Montagu, and in fact in the CWD in general, we have been blessed with the best that nature can offer, great weather, perfect skies and majestic mountains, but it’s the people of the area that make it special; the happier the residents are, the better the experience will be for visitors. Collaboration is vital!”
The final destination for the contestants was the official launch held at the Du Kloof Hotel situated on the N1 just after the Huguenot Tunnel. A rainy afternoon and a cosy fire, together with delicious food, provided the perfect opportunity to make suggestions for improvements to the app. Through real interaction, the developers had the opportunity to hear directly from people who had spent 24 hours using the tool. The suggestions, such as ‘what to do with two days in Cape Winelands’ and that the app could offer ‘special deals and coupons’ were well received by the developers and can easily be integrated.
The international theme for tourism in 2019/2020 is ‘Job creation through tourism’. As a district municipality, the CWDM strives to grow an economy that benefits all in the community, and therefore one of the focus areas of the municipality’s management and Council is to provide opportunities for social and economic development. “The app is interactive and thus gives even small, unknown businesses and hidden gems the opportunity to reach a new market and make themselves known on an international platform,” explained Gayle Daniels of the CWDM’s LED division.
The CWD offers something for everyone, whether you are a thrill-seeking mountain biker or trail runner, an individual looking for a week away to rejuvenate, a group of festive festivalgoers, wine (or gin, beer or brandy) connoisseurs, a family of foodies, birders, campers, glampers, or a couple searching for that perfect wedding spot and boutique hotel for the special wedding night – download the app and register. We will have just the space for you!
The Cape Winelands district is made up of five subdistricts covering an area of 22 309 km2. It stretches from Stellenbosch to Paarl and through majestic mountain passes to Tulbagh, Ceres and Op-die-Berg; or there is the Huguenot Tunnel option to Worcester and into the Hex River Valley, meandering along the N1 to Touwsrivier. For the return drive, leisurely wind through the backroads from Touwsrivier to Montagu, from where you can take a leisurely drive back to Stellenbosch. “The biggest advantage in these times when we are all looking for value for money is probably that these destinations are accessible within a 30- to 120-minute drive from Cape Town and the the airport,” said one of the guests attending the event.
The CWDM welcomes you and yours to our incredible spaces. Download the app, register and plan your visit! Take a day trip or, even better, stay for a while. After all, we have 1 000 things to do and then some wine!
Visit the CWDM on their Facebook page: Cape Winelands DM or the website on www.capewinelands.gov.za
Pictures: Supplied