The Interim CEO for Robben Island Museum, Mava Dada, has welcomed a destination development grant of R10m (€597 000) for the island from the National Department of Tourism (NDT).
Said Dada: “This funding is confirmation that NDT is serious about destination development and putting South Africa on the map. Robben Island is fortunate to have been chosen to be recipient of this funding, and we will make sure that a visit to our museum is both world-class and memorable.”
An official statement from NDT says the contribution aims to enhance the visitor experience through supporting identified and planned components. The current support focus is on capacity development of tourist guides, digitisation of heritage information and archives, improving visitor information services, increasing existing and introducing additional food and beverage facilities, as well as a craft centre.
The department is also exploring ways in which more South Africans can gain access to, and experience, attractions like Robben Island through initiatives such as open days.
Transport to the island, which celebrates its 20th anniversary next year, has indeed been improved since Robben Island Museum partnered with a number of passenger ferries with the right capacity, following publication of a tender.
Tourist guide training will also be welcomed by members of the trade. According Francoise Armour of Tours du Cap in Cape Town, tourists often find the prison guides hard to understand, and request written literature in their own languages, which isn’t available.
