The economic impact of the delegations stay in the small town up the Cape West Coast for the next two days is estimated to be over R524 000.
Stressing the relevance of driving tourism to small towns, Wesgro’s Head of Leisure Tourism, Inge Dykman, comments: “This economic impact over a short period of time is hugely significant to boosting a small town’s economy. It is crucial that we look to expand meetings and conferences into our regions to support the tourism value chain of these small town.”
Bringing together regional and local tourism offices from across the province, the forum acts as a platform for delegates to plan future joint tourism campaigns including trade and road shows and media hosting campaigns. In attendance for the next two days are regional and local tourism organisations, Vinpro, South African Tourism, the National Department of Tourism and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
Wesgro’s Chief Marketing Officer, Judy Lain, said: “We thank all our regions and local tourism offices for continuing their support and ensuring attendance at these forums. It is a growing relationship with the common goal of driving business and creating jobs in the Western Cape.”
Minister of Economic Opportunities, Alan Winde added: “Tourism is the lifeblood of the Western Cape economy, and has the potential to transform the economies of small towns, and the lives of the people who live and work there. We applaud Wesgro’s leisure tourism team for hosting their forum in Darling, where the impact will be keenly felt and encourage other conferences and forums to consider some small town hospitality for their events.”
Issued by Wesgro Media Team, 28 June 2018