Tourism routes remain a valuable resource for DMCs to tap into when packaging South Africa.

Patrick Konzolo, Head Board Member of the Tour Operator Chapter of Tshwane Tourism Authority and Sales & Finance Director for Zilko Travel and Tours, says routes make for easy itinerary packaging. He believes it is best to explore them on a guided tour to gain the best and most detailed information.

Tourvest DMC management around the world agree that tourism routes are relevant. Often promoted in their markets by South African Tourism, they say the routes play a big part in creating awareness of South Africa. 

Kingsby Senoamali, Tourvest DMC Market Manager for North America and Africa, says: “As a DMC you can be more innovative and branch out a bit and introduce new routes that are different from the traditional ones. It is very important to keep abreast of new developments on any particular route and introduce those to our international buyers.”

According to Esther Ruempol, Tourvest DMC Market Manager for the Benelux, and Victoria Rodenacker, Tourvest DMC Market Manager for Spain, South America, Australia and New Zealand, the Panorama Route, the Garden Route, the Cape Winelands and Route 62 are popular. Ruempol finds route interest is market dependent. “More adventurous markets like off-the-beaten-track routes such as the Wild Coast, Limpopo Art Route and the Northern Cape Kalahari Route.”

Tourvest Destination Management has developed the Wild and Scenic Mpumalanga tour, which follows the Panorama Route. Available as a group, private or self-drive tour, it includes scenic stops at attractions like the Blyde River Canyon and God’s Window, entrance to Kruger National Park, a visit to a cultural village and a Big Five private game lodge. The company also recommends the full-day War and Peace Theatrical Tour of Pretoria before or after its tour; this day tour includes a visit to the Voortrekker Monument, Kruger House, Church Square, Union Buildings and Mandela Statue.

Manuel Bollman, Fair Trade Travel Programme Development Manager, does not see the same demand for official routes that tour operators usually do. “Official routes, which are usually government driven, can add important infrastructure nodes to a destination.”

He believes market demand creates its own routes and their popularity may be determined by individual products situated along the routes between big travel hubs.

Self-drive is always a better option for travellers as it allows them to explore at will, says Bollman. “If you sit on a bus you may not even notice you are going down a specific route. It is different if you are driving yourself.”