Although COVID-19 has changed the travel industry forever, all is not lost. The pandemic presents an opportunity to re-look traditional business models and how to do things differently. READ MORE
FRUSTRATIONS & CONFUSION –
BUT INTRA-PROVINCIAL LEISURE TRAVEL NOW PERMITTED
Intense frustration and confusion in the tourism sector churned last month.
Uncertainty related to whether or not domestic leisure travel within provinces was allowed under current COVID-19 Level 3 lockdown rules caused much upset.
READ MORE
LAUNCH OF NEW EC DESTINATION BRAND “MAKES PERFECT SENSE”
The launch of the Eastern Cape destination promotional brand – Yours to Explore and the new ECPTA corporate identity was launched on 1 August.
To mark the launch the ECPTA distributed a brand guide, detailing the rationale for the rebranding. The guideline includes the evolution of the entity’s corporate logo. A multimedia presentation was developed and distributed on various digital platforms to maximise the impact of this brand communication.
The many comments received reflect positively on the new direction. Here are some of them. “Makes perfect sense, I’m happy with the changes”, Siseko Yelani, Managing Director Ucuthu Tours. “Eastern Cape offers more than you ever wished for !”, Mariksa Spoormaker, Freelance writer/radio journalist. “Stunning! Should make a huge difference”, Colin Diland, East Cape Tours.
INNOVATIVE MARKETING TO COUNTER TOURISM BUDGET CUT
In this issue, we feature all the excitement of the opening up of Birds of Eden to hikers and the creativity at the team from Die Tuishuise & Victoria Manor in tackling business as unusual.
HIKING THIS AVIARY FOREST IS A GREAT ESCAPE
The re-opening of hiking in South Africa saw the team from Birds of Eden – the Crags, Plettenberg Bay, frenetically making ready to re-open to the public in keeping with COVID-19 protocols. Birds of Eden is the spectacular largest free-flight single dome aviary in the world!
The sanctuary is home to about 200 different species & subspecies totalling about 3500 birds. It provides a forever home where previously caged birds can live a life of free-flight in a habitat as large and natural as is possible. It encompasses 2.3ha of partly forested land, with a 1.2km winding walkway. Visitors are encouraged to explore the walkways past waterfalls, ponds and coves at their own pace. Guided tours are also available at no extra cost. READ THEIR STORY HERE
TRAINING DIVERSIFICATION
& ADD-ONS
When the going gets tough, the tough get going aptly describes the team from Die Tuishuise & Victoria Manor.
When faced with the COVID-19 lockdown do or die dilemma, for this iconic hospitality family, keeling over was simply not an option! Scrutinising the rands and cents, making the necessary application for funding assistance, utilising every digital opportunity and platform presented and a sizeable dollop of creativity and inventiveness has taken Die Tuishuise & Victoria Manor to the next level in the new normal of hospitality.
Here the team shares their excitement about the emergence of new opportunities and initiatives. READ THEIR STORY HERE
KEEPING THE EASTERN CAPE
TOP OF MIND
Keeping the Eastern Cape top of mind has been one of the focus areas for the ECPTA marketing team during the current lockdown period. The team presented a destination information overview to share with travel trade representatives in a variety of international markets. READ MORE
LESSONS LEARNT FROM FIRST VIRTUAL EXHIBITION
The Eastern Cape’s first Virtual Business Exhibition, held on June 23 and 24th, was part of a response to assist Eastern Cape tourism companies in reconnecting and trading. This ‘live’ and interactive trade show was planned by organised business as a COVID relief measure. 250 businesses exhibited their products and services in virtual exhibition halls, connecting with just over 2000 visitors and buyers.
Although some product owners experienced challenges in downloading and operating the Virtual Exhibition application, this pilot virtual exhibition taught us all some valuable lessons. READ MORE
THE VNAF – NATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL GOES VIRTUAL
The Makhanda National Arts Festival has, for over 40 years, served as a trigger for the economic growth of the region by attracting national and international visitors to the Eastern Cape. This year, the event made history with the launch of the first-ever digital iteration of this significant South African arts festival. READ MORE
THE PROS OF A PRINTED MAP
The Eastern Cape’s destination brand evolution from Adventure Province to Yours to Explore is rolling out on various platforms as part of the ECPTA’s digital transformation strategy. But we’ve also identified the advantages of the big-picture view appeal of a printed map. READ MORE
MEDIA SPOTLIGHT
CEO INTERVIEWED ON EXPRESSO
SPONSORED FEATURE IN EASTERN CAPE BUSINESS
ECPTA CEO, Mr Vuyani Dayimani, was interviewed by the Expresso Morning Show (SABC3) team on 21 July.
WATCH HERE
The Eastern Cape Business publication focuses on the Eastern Cape as a investment and business destination. The ECPTA sponsored a feature in the recently released 2020 edition of this publication. See pages 12 to 15.
READ MORE
REMINDER!
SEPTEMBER IS TOURISM MONTH
A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO FIND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO KEEP THE EASTERN CAPE TOP OF MIND!
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