Franschhoek Wine Tram’s ticket stub initiative raises thousands for local charities | #wineforgood

The Franschhoek Wine Tram, a hallmark of South Africa's Western Cape, offers visitors an unparalleled journey through the historic Franschhoek Valley. Combining the charm of vintage transportation with the allure of world-class vineyards, the Wine Tram has become a quintessential experience for wine enthusiasts and tourists alike. Beyond its scenic tours and exquisite wine tastings, the Wine Tram has recently embarked on a philanthropic endeavour that underscores its commitment to the local community: the ticket stub initiative.

A scenic journey with a purpose

Established to provide a unique and leisurely exploration of the Franschhoek Valley, the Wine Tram utilises a combination of double-decker trams and open-air tram-buses. This hop-on, hop-off experience allows passengers to traverse rolling vineyards, stopping at some of South Africa’s oldest and most distinguished wine estates.

Each line – colour-coded for convenience – offers a curated journey, showcasing the valley's rich viticultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes. Passengers can engage in wine tastings, cellar tours, gourmet lunches, or simply enjoy a stroll through the vineyards.

The ticket stub initiative: Supporting local charities

The Franschhoek Wine Tram introduced the ticket stub initiative to give passengers a simple yet impactful way to contribute to charitable causes.

How it works:

• At the end of the tour, passengers deposit their ticket stubs into charity boxes located at the ticket office.
• For each ticket stub deposited, the Franschhoek Wine Tram makes a donation to one of the designated charities.

Benefiting charities

Funds raised through this initiative are directed to five local charities that play a vital role in supporting the community:

• ACVV – A welfare organisation dedicated to assisting vulnerable children and families
• Franco – Franschhoek Resource and Network Coordination Organization supports community development and upliftment programs
• Safe Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek – A rescue organisation dedicated to providing care and rehabilitation for abandoned and mistreated animals
• SPCA – Committed to animal welfare, preventing cruelty, and providing veterinary care to animals in need
• Kusasa – A foundation focused on providing quality education and opportunities for underprivileged children

By simply depositing their ticket stubs, visitors actively support these organisations, raising awareness while ensuring much-needed funds reach the causes they care about.

Community investment and long-term impact

The Franschhoek Wine Tram considers these donations an investment in the local community. The initiative is ongoing, ensuring sustained contributions to the chosen charities.

In 2024, over R200 000 was donated and distributed amongst these charities.

The Franschhoek Wine Tram team hands over funds raised through ticket stub initiative to ACVV, Franco, Safe Hands Animal Rescue Franschhoek, Kusasa, and SPCA.

Additional charitable initiative: The wine tote bag project

In addition to the ticket stub initiative, the Wine Tram has also introduced the wine tote bag project, combining practicality with philanthropy.

How it works:

• Travelers can purchase a wine tote bag at the start of their tour.
• The tote bags, handcrafted by a local charity, provide a practical way to carry wine purchases.
• Each tote comes with discount cards that can be used at participating wine estates.
• All proceeds from the tote bag sales go directly to the charity responsible for making them.

A culture of giving

The success of these initiatives is a testament to the Franschhoek Wine Tram's dedication to social responsibility. By seamlessly incorporating charitable giving into the visitor experience, the Wine Tram has fostered a culture of giving among tourists. Visitors, both domestic and international, appreciate the opportunity to contribute to the communities they visit, making their journey even more meaningful.

Visitor testimonials

Many visitors have lauded the initiative, noting that it adds depth to their journey:

• "Dropping my ticket stub into the charity box was such a simple action, yet it felt incredibly meaningful knowing that it contributed to a good cause."
• "Purchasing the tote bag was a no-brainer. Not only did it serve a practical purpose during the tour but knowing that the proceeds support local charities made the experience even more fulfilling."
• "The discount card was a pleasant surprise! It encouraged us to explore more estates, and the fact that our contribution aided the community was the cherry on top."

Conclusion

The Franschhoek Wine Tram’s ticket stub and tote bag initiatives highlight the potential of tourism as a force for good. By offering visitors a chance to contribute to local charities through simple yet impactful actions, the Wine Tram has created a ripple effect of positive change. As tourists traverse the beautiful Franschhoek Valley, they do so with the knowledge that their journey leaves a lasting, positive impact on the community – a true embodiment of travel with purpose.