To mark this year’s Tourism Day theme of ‘Tourism and Sustainable Transformation’, Alderman James Vos, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, joined Cape Town businesses in celebrating their latest ventures centered on people and planet.
This week saw the launch of the first commercial fully electric boats at the V&A Waterfront, unveiled by City Sightseeing Cape Town. The eco-friendly ride seats 32 passengers.
‘Cape Town’s natural beauty has always been one of the main features of our destination offering. By using products such as these electric boats, our local industry players are ensuring a smaller carbon footprint, helping the Mother City maintain its standout natural features,’ said Alderman Vos.
Next, he visited Cape Point E-Bike Tours, a new business near the entrance to the famous national park. Cape Point E-Bike Tours takes visitors on guided rides through one of South Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes. Using Wow e-bikes made in Paternoster, guests can choose from four set tours or request a customised ride, all accompanied by two experienced guides.
‘Not only do visitors get to safely experience some of the world’s most exquisite places, but the e-bikes accommodate all fitness levels, making these experiences accessible to more people,’ said Alderman Vos.
The City’s commitment to creating a more sustainable destination is further evident in its own venues.
The Strategic Assets Department has embarked on a drive to ensure that the City’s signature venues, such as City Hall, Athlone Stadium, and the Desmond and Leah Tutu House, all keep sustainability top of mind. They use energy-efficient lighting and minimal potable water. Meanwhile, Green Point Urban Park features a Dome Education Classroom and Experiential Education Garden. The dome’s design references the dwellings of the Khoi and is a tribute to their heritage as a First Nations group. It is the first mass timber dome ever to be built in South Africa, and internationally it is the first three-dimensional mass timber dome of its kind. Mass timber is the newest and greenest system of carbon-conscious construction in the world today.
‘Ensuring that sustainability is at the heart of our destination isn’t just about ticking a box; it’s a commitment to create a city that is not only captivating for visitors but also enriching for those who call Cape Town home.
‘Through the City of Cape Town’s Tourism Development Framework, we place a high premium on responsible tourism because we want Cape Town to be a future-fit destination. Helping tourism businesses go green ensures longevity, resilience, and sustainability, which ultimately creates more economic opportunities and jobs in our visitor economy. Growing tourism with long, green legs means the industry can survive, prosper, and benefit our communities for generations to come,’ said Alderman Vos.
