As part of the build-up to Tourism Month and Travel Week, I had the opportunity to join South African Tourism for a trade-hosting programme in the North West Province from 25–28 August 2026.
For me, this was more than simply travelling to another province. It was an opportunity to experience tourism products outside of the Western Cape, connect with other tourism industry stakeholders, and gain a deeper understanding of how different destinations across South Africa package and promote their experiences to the travel trade.
From Cape Town to the North West
The journey started at Cape Town International Airport, where I flew to OR Tambo International Airport to join the programme.
From Johannesburg, our group travelled towards the North West, with our first stop being the Harties Boat Cruise. It was a great introduction to the region and an opportunity to experience one of the leisure products available to visitors travelling around Hartbeespoort.
From there, we continued to TshiBerry Bed & Breakfast, where we checked in and began the next part of the programme.
Learning Through Experiencing
One of the things I value most about trade hosting is the opportunity to experience tourism products first-hand.
As tourism practitioners, we often spend so much time promoting our own destinations that it is important to step outside of our familiar environment and see what other destinations are doing.
The programme provided an opportunity to experience different tourism offerings, meet tourism businesses and learn more about the stories behind the products.
These experiences also made me reflect on the work we are doing in Khayelitsha and Langa.
There are many similarities between destinations across South Africa. At the heart of successful tourism is the ability to tell authentic stories, create meaningful experiences and ensure that tourism creates opportunities for local communities and businesses.
The Importance of Trade Connections
Trade hosting programmes such as this are important because tourism is ultimately built on relationships.
Meeting other tourism operators, destination representatives and industry professionals creates opportunities to share ideas, understand different markets and identify potential collaborations.
For a small, township-based tourism business like ABCD Concepts, being part of these conversations is particularly valuable.
Our work is focused on creating experiences that allow visitors to see Khayelitsha beyond the stereotypes and connect with the people, businesses, culture, history and everyday life of the township.
Being exposed to other destinations helps us continuously think about how we can improve our own products and how we position township tourism within the broader South African tourism landscape.
Taking the Experience Back to Khayelitsha
One of the biggest takeaways from the trip was the importance of continuously developing tourism products and creating reasons for visitors to stay longer and explore more.
Township tourism has enormous potential, but we also need to continue investing in product development, storytelling, digital marketing, collaboration and skills development.
The North West experience gave me new ideas that I can take back to our work in Khayelitsha and share with other local tourism businesses.
It also reinforced my belief that township tourism should not be viewed as a separate or secondary part of South African tourism. It is an important part of our country’s tourism story.
Looking Ahead
I am grateful to South African Tourism for the opportunity to participate in this trade-hosting programme and to experience what the North West Province has to offer.
As we enter Tourism Month, it is important that we continue creating platforms where tourism businesses can connect, learn from one another and collectively grow the sector.
For me, the journey from Cape Town to the North West was not just about discovering a new destination.
It was about learning, connecting and bringing those lessons home to Khayelitsha.
And that is one of the things I love most about tourism — there is always another destination to discover, another story to hear and another lesson to bring home.