The Western Cape winelands town of Stellenbosch is launching its Stay Stellenbucks campaign, modelled on the hugely successful Support Stellenbosch campaign that it pioneered in 2020 to drive the recovery of the town’s travel and tourism industry.
The two-phase Support Stellenbosch campaign amounted to a total direct cash injection of R7 085 702 (€422 528) into the town’s economy.
Inviting visitors to stay longer and experience the town’s array of heart-warming winter experiences and events like a local, Stay Stellenbucks will reward visitors who stay two nights or longer (T&Cs apply) in one of the participating accommodation establishments, with Stellenbucks coupons to the value of 20% of their accommodation bill (to a maximum of R1 200 (€71). Guests can spend their Stellenbucks at any participating winery, restaurant, experience provider or accommodation establishment.
The Stay Stellenbucks initiative forms part of the town’s Stay and Play campaign and is a collaboration between tourism stakeholders and private donors such as Stellenbosch University, Remgro, Capitec, Investec, Mergon, and auditing company LDP. The campaign aims to boost visitor numbers so that the town enjoys economic recovery across all tourism sectors, but focuses particularly on accommodation establishments.
“June to September is our lower season traditionally, which affords us an opportunity to extend visitors a great incentive to stay and play in Stellenbosch,” says Jeanneret Momberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch.
“We also have an exciting line-up of events and we encourage visitors to go beyond the half day to experience Stellenbosch and surrounds like a local. These events are being hosted under the themes of art and culture, music, outdoor concerts, social justice events, bespoke culinary festivals, walking tours and, of course, ample wine-tasting attractions, including the annual Wine Town Stellenbosch.”
Previously, the Support Stellenbosch restaurant campaign, comprised a rewards-based system of redeemable Stellenbucks vouchers, boosting consumer confidence, job security and collaboration between the tourism industry and locals in the face of tough lockdown restrictions.
“Similarly, our Stay Stellenbucks campaign aims to create and safeguard jobs, while increasing the appeal of winter travel to our town,” says Momberg.
