The Garden Route Workshop, held at Moyo Kirstenbosch, saw 36 tourism experiences, accommodation establishments and DMOs descend on the Mother City to share their tourism offering with over 200 consultants and guides.
The #GardenRouteRocks extravaganza had been overwhelmingly successful, said Peter Dros, Satsa Garden Route Chair, and Sales and Marketing Director of Fancourt.
“There was a great sense of camaraderie on the day and greater than expected attendance and interest. It just goes to show what can be achieved when private sector and public sector collaborate. Our thanks must go to Satsa, Wesgro, Knysna Tourism and Oudtshoorn and De Rust Tourism for their support in making these kinds of initiatives happen,” said Dros.
“With different bodies like Satsa, Wesgro and some of the local tourism offices working together, it made it possible for smaller operators to present their products to the trade. With many smaller tour operators attending, we were able to highlight some of the ‘off-the-beaten-track’ establishments and activities, which will give them a chance to differentiate themselves from the well-established operators.”
This is not the first or last Destination Garden Route initiative to align the efforts of tourism experiences and product to market the region. A mega fam that was held successfully at the end of 2018 proved so successful that it is being hosted again this year.
“We are partnering with Wesgro again to bring consultants to the Garden Route in September so that we can showcase the diversity of experience and product that this region has to offer,” confirmed Dros.
Satsa was a firm believer in products and experiences within regions collaborating for the greater good to access markets, said DavidFrost CEO of Satsa. “The Garden Route is a fine example of how the private sector industry can work together with government stakeholders to grow the tourism pie for the benefit of everyone in the region.
“Through collaboration and aligning our marketing efforts, regions can reach their markets in a far more powerful way than working in siloes. It is my hope that the Garden Route example will inspire other regions of South Africa to align their efforts and market their destination collaboratively,” concluded Frost.
For more information about the Garden Route initiative, or to interview David Frost, please email natalia@bigambitions.co.za or call 083 449 4334.
