Statement by Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth
This week, I had the privilege to experience the Halaal Hopper Tour in Macassar, an experience that highlighted the contributions of Cape Town’s Muslim community
With Heritage Day this coming weekend, the experience was a fitting one. Muslims have been here for hundreds of years and are thus woven into the social fabric of our beautiful city.
The City and its official Destination Marketing Organisation, Cape Town Tourism (CTT), have worked closely with the industry to create initiatives that cater to the Muslim market.
In 2017, CTT and Crescent Rating, the world’s leading authority on Halaal travel, launched the Chef Exchange which saw Singaporean gourmet chefs educate local chefs on Halaal food preparation. This programme has now become a global practice. CTT’s broader partnership with Crescent Rating to help the city become more Muslim-friendly paved the way for the travel authority’s deal with New York’s destination promotion organisation, NYCGo.
This is yet another example of the inclusivity of Cape Town’s tourism industry which offers attractions and accommodation catering to particular communities and cultures.
In marking Tourism Month, I maintain that people and places lie at the heart of our destination offering. From bustling bars and nightclubs to hiking trails, museums, community theatres and blue-flag beaches, the Mother City boasts a kaleidoscope of places for travellers and locals alike to enjoy.
But what sets Cape Town apart from other destinations is the warmth of our people. Capetonians who show visitors how to make koesisters or umqombothi and greet them with a smile when they enter Kirstenbosch Gardens, Cape Point, or simply a home, embody the soul of this city.
It is for this very reason that the City aims to boost the tourism industry through destination promotion – such as that of CTT’s interactive Find Your Freedom concept – that attracts visitors and supports local businesses and service providers who are connecting with those visitors.
The World Travel & Tourism Council Economic Impact Report found that South Africa’s tourism sector is capable of contributing more than R554,6 billion to GDP over the next decade while creating over 800 000 jobs to reach more than 1,9 million by 2032.
Through tourism, we can continue to honour the communities and cultures of Cape Town while realising meaningful economic growth for those same people.
Caption 1: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth with Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy.
Caption 2: Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth with members of the Economic Growth Portfolio Committee at the Sheikh Yusuf Al Makasari Kramat in Macassar.
Caption 3: (Left to right) Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth; Chairman of the Economic Growth Portfolio Committee, Alderman Clive Justus; Cape Town Tourism CEO, Enver Duminy; Halaal Hopper Tours owner, Fayrouz Holliday-October, and tour guide, Faizal Darries.
Source: City Of Cape Town