“In the Cape Winelands District, we remind visitors that there are ‘A thousand things to do and then…a little wine!’” stated the Executive Mayor of the CWDM, Ald (Dr) Elna von Schlicht, during her keynote address. “The entries to this year’s Mayoral Tourism Awards are all leaders in the field of Universal Access. I never knew that a wheelchair user could go skydiving!”
The CWDM, through its mandate to promote tourism and foster an environment where the economy can thrive, currently supports 13 Local Tourism Associations (LTAs) situated throughout the district. The LTAs are funded by the CWDM to carry out events, programs, and activities that promote their towns. While the LTAs also receive support from their local municipalities, the bulk of their funding is generated through membership fees from businesses situated in their towns or areas.
To further promote tourism and economic development and enhance the work being done by the LTAs, the CWDM conducts advertising campaigns, attends trade shows, and earlier this year, hosted the successful Winelands Autumn Expo.
This year, Tourism Month held an extra boost for the LTAs of the Cape Winelands. The Executive Mayor announced a competition open only to the LTAs, where winners could claim their share of a 360º advertising campaign valued at R100,000.
The competition aimed to promote the importance and understanding of Universal Accessibility (UA). The LTAs were presented with a hypothetical scenario for which they were required to submit a detailed itinerary. The narrative requested that they describe suitable accommodation and activities for a family consisting of an avid mountain biker, a mother with a toddler and a four-month-old baby, and a wheelchair-using influencer and her carer/assistant. The LTAs had to consider all the needs of this busy and influential family.
Ten of the 13 LTAs submitted entries, which were judged according to strict criteria by Louine Griessel, Development Manager of the Western Cape Association of and for People with Disabilities (WCAPD), and Tarryn Tomlinson, CEO of Liveable and Able2Travel Accessible Travel and a familiar face in the universal accessibility world.
“I remember travelling with my children when they were young,” stated Louine Griessel during her address, in which she set the scene for the audience. “The car was packed to the roof with a pram, toys, and all the necessities that babies require. I specifically remember that on one occasion, I bathed the baby in the basin because the facility did not have a bath, only a shower! This competition was difficult to judge, not only from the perspective of a mother but also from my experience working with those who have physical impairments – one small step is all it takes to prevent someone using a motorised wheelchair from accessing your business. However, I would like to thank each of the LTAs who submitted entries. I learned so much about our own district; I simply didn’t know how many hidden gems there are right here in our backyard!”
Tarryn Tomlinson, who shared the judging process with participants, explained, “The quality of the submissions made this a difficult process. We judged the understanding of UA by the LTA, the quality of the submission, the creativity they applied to the scenario, and the passion and knowledge of their products that they exhibited through the itinerary. It has been a tough but enlightening experience, and I really congratulate the three winners.”
It was with delight and great pride that the three winners took ownership of their prizes at a small event held in Paarl on 26 September 2024 . The Bronze Award went to Drakenstein Tourism, who among the options available to their visitors, offered wheelchair compatible tandem skydiving and picnicking on Paarl Rock!
The Silver Award was claimed by Montagu-Ashton Tourism, who offered the family a variety of activities, including a tractor ride on a specially equipped trailer to the top of the Langeberg Mountains, from where on a clear day, one can see the sea!
The Gold Award was given to Visit Stellenbosch, who offered an adventurous and gastronomic experience suitable for the whole family. Activities included wheelchair-friendly E-bike outings, a visit to the Elemental Play Garden, and several adventures suitable for this diverse family.
The Executive Mayor praised all the LTAs, stating that it gives her great pleasure to travel through the district and visit some of the many spaces and places that form part of the overall experience of the district. She ended her address by stating, “Tourism has reached new levels in the CWDM, and I remind you to continue soaring like eagles, and to remember that eagles do not fly with sparrows.”
During the closing, Cllr Koos Steyn, Mayoral Committee Member for LED and Tourism, shared his own journey with the LTAs. “I am always so impressed with the incredible passion that the LTAs exhibit, the knowledge they have of the people, culture, and history of their towns, and the true joy they gain from sharing these places.”
