Big boost for SA wine and food tourism industry
Monday, 20 February, 2006
Magna Carta
The Western Cape is to host South Africa’s first Wine and Food Tourism conference at Nelson’s Creek Wine Estate in Paarl, 10 to 12 April 2006.
The 2006 Cape Wine and Food Tourism Conference is organised in collaboration with, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, FEDHASA Cape, the International Culinary Tourism Association, the Wine Tourism Steering Committee of the SA Wine & Brandy Company and Thebe Conferences.
Chief Executive of Cape Town Routes Unlimited, Nokhuthula Dube says, “This conference will address the importance of wine and food tourism as a significant contributor to the economy of the Western Cape. Wine Tourism generates approximately R4-billion in revenue per annum and supports approximately 198 000 jobs (Macro Economic Impact of the Wine Industry on the Western Cape 2003 Report). We therefore need to focus and develop strategies to innovate our product so that more visitors stay longer in the destination and therefore benefit the tourism economy of the Western Cape.”
“The destination offers a diversity of experiences including inter-alia culture, shopping, health and wellness, ecotourism, golf, scenic attractions and sun and sea, providing unique opportunities for creative and innovative packaging of wine tourism activities together with the overall Cape Town and Western Cape tourism experience.” Says Dube
Erik Wolf, President & CEO of the International Culinary Tourism Association commented that “Consumer interest in food and drink is at an all time high, as is traveller interest in culinary tourism. Food and drinks have become a key part of interactive marketing and meet the needs and requirements of new travellers. We have seen a huge surge in the number of travellers who are making destination decisions based on unique and memorable culinary offerings. South Africa’s wine and culinary tourism industries are primed to take off. The international Culinary Tourism Association is pleased to partner with the Cape Wine & Food Tourism Conference to raise the level of awareness and professional expertise in the country. The more professionals who know and learn about culinary and wine tourism, the easier it will be for South Africa to achieve leadership status in the world’s wine and culinary tourism industries”
“FEDHASA Cape is very proud and excited to be associated with this event and I hope that it will be the first of many successful ones to come. Food and wine are gaining popularity among our local population. People are becoming increasingly quality conscious and no longer accept second best. With the ever increasing offering of good quality produce, a growing number of great chefs, the resultant restaurants and other food outlets, the Cape is positioning itself as the food Mecca of sub-Saharan Africa. I am confident that this conference will add to this development”, says Nils Hecksher, Chairman of Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA).
Pietman Retief, Chairman of the Wine Tourism Steering Committee commented: “The Cape Winelands was the first amongst the New World Wine Countries to start promoting wine tourism on a more formal basis. Unfortunately, and understandably, due to circumstances, the movement could not be followed through by the industry. Circumstances are now starting to fall in place, both in the wine and tourism industries, and we expect very exciting times ahead for everyone involved in this field. This conference could well be the turning point in an industry which is going through very difficult times at the moment”.
Thebe Conferences General Manager, Zelda Ingram concludes: “The conference’s vision is to position wineries, restaurants, tour operators, hotels and guesthouses to benefit from opportunities presented by the wine and food tourism. The conference aims to facilitate co-operation and communication and improve synergies between related industries. A highlight of the conference is a Gourmet Dinner, which will be hosted at Môreson Estate in South Africa’s Gourmet Capital, Franschhoek on the 11th April. The theme of the Dinner is “The Best of Franschhoek – eat with the Big Five”.
Issued by:
Magna Carta
Moliehi Molekoa
Tel: (011) 784-2598
On behalf of:
Thebe Conferences Pty Ltd
More information on the conference is available from Thebe Conferences:
Tel: +27 (0)21 419 8301 Contact person: Zelda Ingram (Email: zelda@thebeconferences.co.za) Website: www.capewineandfoodtourism.co.za