Festive Season Reflections from the ECPTA Family As we approach the end of the year, we pause to acknowledge the resilience, teamwork and heart
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Tourist Guides Must Register and Keep Their Details Updated All practising and aspiring tourist guides in the Eastern Cape must be legally registered with
ECPTA participated in the 20th Annual ICT Summit at the East London ICC under the theme Nathi SiConnected, partnering with industry stakeholders to promote
ECPTA continues to lift the province’s tourism and investment profile through its four year partnership with the Professional Golfers Association. The PGA Championship at
Mkambati Nature Reserve recently hosted its “Care and Share” wellness event, a staff-focused initiative designed to strengthen mental wellbeing, build teamwork and create a
Cruise tourism continues to grow in the Eastern Cape with increasing numbers of international vessels docking in East London and Gqeberha during the summer
Hamburg Nature Reserve supported the food garden project at Hamburg Primary School by donating and installing fencing to protect the garden. The project supplies
The Cape Morgan section of the East London Coast Nature Reserve welcomed seventy participants for an 8.9 km collaborative hike on 21 November 2025.
Tsolwana Nature Reserve, together with Ntabethemba SAPS, the Department of Health and the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, hosted a Men’s Dialogue that addressed social
Students from King Sabata Dalindyebo TVET College visited ECPTA for an organisational learning experience designed to expose them to the Agency’s mandate and its
Oviston Nature Reserve hosted an educational outreach session led by the Evolutionary Studies Institute from the University of the Witwatersrand, showcasing the globally significant
Tsolwana Nature Reserve, in partnership with Ntabethemba SAPS and the Department of Health, hosted a well attended Cancer Awareness Walk on 7 November 2025.
ECPTA took part in the Eastern Cape Green Tourism Workshop held at Hemingways in East London. The workshop brought together tourism operators, conservationists and
ECPTA, in partnership with the National Department of Tourism and Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, hosted a two-day Occupational Health and Safety workshop on 26
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ms Maggie Sotyu, led a Tourism Outreach Programme in Queenstown aimed at increasing access to tourism opportunities for youth, women
The tourism sector in the Eastern Cape received a meaningful boost on 28 November 2025 with the official launch of Mnembe Safari Lodge in
The Eastern Cape continues to establish itself as one of South Africa’s most attractive summer destinations, with major events playing a central role in
ECPTA officially opened the 2025 summer season in Morgan Bay on 1 December 2025. The launch positioned the area as the gateway to the
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency’s (ECPTA) Thomas Baines Nature Reserve has reinforced its commitment to proactive conservation and safety by participating in
Tourism Grading support (TGCSA): save up to 90% — Status: OPEN now to 30 Mar 2026 (or until funds are exhausted). Why it
The Agency believes that investing in its people is just as important as conserving our natural heritage. Through its bursary programme, ECPTA has supported
The Eastern Cape is fast becoming one of South Africa’s most attractive film destinations, offering filmmakers settings that are both striking and versatile. In
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), in partnership with the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL), has embarked on a series
The Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA), together with the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), co-hosted the Maloti-Drakensberg Transfrontier
MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Nonkqubela Pieters, joined the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu, at the East London ICC to
Tsitsikamma Canopy Tours, the forest-ziplining experience based in Storms River on the Eastern Cape’s Garden Route, has been named a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice awardee—placing
The Eastern Cape marked the 38th anniversary of the Battle of Lurhwayizo with a commemorative programme led by Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Deputy President
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) highlighted the province’s diverse tourism offerings at the NAACAM Show, held in mid August 2025 at
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) joined the Provincial Government in celebrating Women’s Day in Alicedale in late August 2025. Led by
The Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA), in partnership with Buffalo City Tourism, kicked off Tourism Month with a two-day media tour that
The Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA), in partnership with the Buffalo City Municipality, officially launched Tourism Month on 28 August at Ekoneni
The Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency (ECPTA) CEO, Vuyani Dayimani, participated in the Southern African Wildlife Management Association (SAWMA) Conference 2025, hosted at
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) reinforced its commitment to professionalising the tourism sector during the two-day Tourism Imbizo, held in Nelson
The Eastern Cape welcomed the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) Annual Assessor Conference to the Wild Coast Sun – a 4-star graded
Groendal Nature Reserve has been voted the second favourite holiday resort/camping site by readers across Uitenhage, Despatch, Kirkwood and Addo. UD Express ran its
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) has, over the years, created opportunities for young people to develop skills, gain experience, and grow
The Eastern Cape’s Nature Reserves are opening doors for green investment. The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) continues to position itself as
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) proudly recognises its dedicated employee, Lihle Mpongoma, for once again taking on the challenge of the
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) has, over the years, created opportunities for young people to develop skills, gain experience, and
YOUTH MONTH EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT From Interns to permanent employment at ECPTA As South Africa celebrates Youth Month, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency
To mark this year’s World Environment Day, the Thomas Baines Nature Reserve partnered with the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism (DEDEAT)
The Eastern Cape’s tourism offering remained in the international spotlight as several local tourism offices participated in the prestigious World Travel Market (WTM) Africa,
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) supported the 2nd Annual Jobs and Careers Expo, which took place in early April 2025 at
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) participated in Africa’s Coastal Marine & Maritime Tourism Trade Market 2025, hosted in Gqeberha, led by
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) was part of a Tourism Safety Campaign led by Deputy Minister of Department of Tourism, Ms.
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA), together with the Nelson Mandela Museum and Vodacom, hosted a group of influencers on a weekend
Following the success of ECPTA’s partnership with Go Baviaans: Baviaanskloof Accommodation and Activities and the Another Way Community Trust on the renowned The Leopard
To raise awareness about wildlife conservation and address the ongoing challenge of poaching, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency’s (ECPTA) Thomas Baines Nature
The Eastern Cape Tourism delegation made a powerful impact at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2025, one of the continent’s premier tourism trade shows. With a
In a significant stride towards advancing regional biodiversity conservation, the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) recently hosted a highly successful BioBlitz at
The Eastern Cape’s natural heritage continues to shine, with Umtiza Nature Reserve offering one of the province’s most scenic hiking destinations. A hiking enthusiast,
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) joined the Department of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs, and Tourism (DEDEAT) and other stakeholders in commemorating
There is something remarkable happening in the Eastern Cape. Known for its untamed beauty, rich heritage, and warm people, the province is fast becoming
The Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) reaffirmed its commitment to the health and well-being of its staff by hosting a successful Wellness
Winter in the Eastern Cape offers far more than crisp mornings; it’s a season alive with vibrant events, authentic experiences, and tourism adventures that
In a bid to position the Eastern Cape as a leading Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination, the Eastern Cape Parks and
Conservation and commerce converged when Mkambathi Nature Reserve was officially declared the Eastern Cape’s first Ramsar Wetland of International Importance, and the Eastern Cape
Want your guests to leave with memorable experiences and rave reviews? Ensure your tourism establishment meets the latest Tourism Service Excellence standards. Check requirements
Did You Know? For the first time since COVID-19, South Africa welcomed over 1 million tourists in January 2025 alone. Historically, January and December
Applications for the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF) are still open! Entrepreneurs looking to grow in the tourism sector can apply for up to R5
Press Releases
Imagine a realm of enchantment—a place where unspoiled landscapes meet the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean. Welcome to…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The tourism sector in the Eastern Cape is disheartened by the recent spate of crimes committed…
01 October 2021 The Department of Tourism calls on eligible enterprises to apply for the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF),…
04 August 2020 The Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has today made public a list of Small, Medium and…
30 July 2020 Since the country entered level 3 of the Risk-Adjusted Strategy, the tourism sector also began its…
STATEMENT ON SECTOR REOPENING: South Africa’s tourism activities and skies open up 03 June 2020 South Africa has been…
MEDIA STATEMENT 07 April 2020 TOURISM RELIEF FUND OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS The Department of Tourism encourages eligible businesses to…
24 March 2020 @14:00 A 21-day national lockdown has been declared. The lockdown will begin on the evening…
MEDIA STATEMENT from the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa 24 March 2020 COVID-19 INTERVENTIONS FOR…
UNION BUILDINGS, TSHWANE 23 MARCH 2020 My fellow South Africans, It is a week since we declared…
22 March 2020 TBCSA Members and the industry at large TBCSA Secretariat COVID-19 Communication The Chairman and I received…
22 March 2020 Dear Industry Partners, In a continued effort to ensure the health and safety of all South…
In light of the verified cases of COVID19 in the Eastern Cape measures are being put in place by…
After the President declared a state of national disaster in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. the Department of Small…
MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE EASTERN CAPE PARKS & TOURISM AGENCY CEO, MR VUYANI DAYIMANI EC Tourism sector rallied to…
Date: 25/09/2019 – In the wake of the horrific events which have taken place at the Hluleka Nature Reserve…
