Lonely Planet has announced the Cape Winelands as one of its ‘Top 10 Best Value Destinations for 2020’.
The Winelands, which was awarded eighth place, is celebrated on Lonely Planet’s website for its natural beauty and world-class wineries: “A short journey from the fabulous food city of Cape Town is the country’s wine region, centred on the historic towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch. The real action here is at the wineries and fabulous restaurants dotting the beautiful upland scenery.
“You won’t find elephants snuffling round the vineyards, but you will find inexpensive tasting tours followed by lazy lunches serving world-class food alongside delicious local wines. If you care to stretch your wallet a little further when staying the night you can sleep it all off in high-end guesthouses and B&Bs that would cost a lot more elsewhere.”
Western Cape Provincial Minister for Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, welcomed the announcement: “The Cape Winelands is a world-class tourism attraction in the Western Cape and we are proud to be recognised as such by Lonely Planet.”
The Winelands was one of many unique food and wine attractions that was offered to visitors, and an example of tourism service excellence that helped grow the economy and create jobs in the Western Cape, he said.
Wesgro CEO, Tim Harris, added that he was excited to be attending World Travel Market London this year, where this award will be made.
“I am looking forward to sharing this great news with the travel trade worldwide to ensure that even more people come and experience the unrivalled beauty of our province. The Cape Winelands has made its mark as a destination in the Western Cape and I am positive that this accolade will help boost tourism to this region in the future. We wish to thank all our partners for their hard work in promoting this beautiful destination.”
“Our vast open spaces, hospitable people, fauna and flora, agricultural sector, wine industry, fine cuisine and opportunities for grand adventure, echo what all Cape Winelands tourism stakeholders believe: A thousand things to do and then some wine…” said Ald Elna von Schlicht, executive mayor of the Cape Winelands District Municipality.
She said the Cape Winelands and the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) recognised the value of a robust tourism industry and its role in economic and skills development.
CWDM also inspired the Cape Winelands Route and Events App, available free of charge to all visitors, to help travellers, visitors and citizens find special places in the district.
Zanzibar, in Tanzania, and Tunisia, in north Africa, are the other African destinations. Others ranked in the Top 10 are East Nusa Tengarra, in Indonesia; Budapest, Hungary; Madhya Pradesh, India; Buffalo, NY, US; Azerbaijan; Serbia; and Athens, Greece.
