The Northern Cape Tourism Authority will be using Africa’s largest travel and tourism event to showcase the immense tourism diversity of South Africa’s largest province. The destination marketing organisation will introduce visitors to the 2013 INDABA to the expansive Northern Cape tourism portfolio via its new website and newly launched Northern Cape mobile apps.
These new online marketing strategies aim to develop an effective e-business platform and system to encourage and improve the usage of the Internet to manage information and promote tourism within the Northern Cape. The new 3.0 website platform, www.experiencenortherncape.com will allow potential visitors to Northern Cape the opportunity to preplan their time within the province with extensive information on what to do, where to go and where to stay. Website browsers will be able to access special web promotional rates on accommodation and activities and receive current information on events, activities and the latest NCTA promotions and marketing activities.
The tourism authority also launched an e-learning course this week. The recently completed 15 page e-learning module about the Northern Cape was uploaded onto the Dutch e-learning website of Travelution, etraveltraining.nl. Travelution is currently the market leaders in the Benelux region as well as other key European and UK markets with their e-learning modules.
Stretching across 360 000 square kilometres, the Northern Cape boasts with remarkable natural beauty, wide open spaces, a rich cultural history and their world-renowned hospitality, which will transform any visit into a dream holiday. Due to the wide array of activities and tourism attractions in the province, the destination appeals to market segments ranging from mature travellers to families, young adventurers and adrenaline junkies.
According to Dianna Martin, General Manager: Marketing and Communications, the Northern Cape offers an unsurpassable selection of tourism offerings. “The Northern Cape offers visitors extreme nature, extreme culture and extreme adventure and each of our five regions has its own unique character and charm. Due to its geographical spread, the Northern Cape is a province that celebrates its diversity and as such appeals to a wide tourism audience. From the desert to the coast, the abundant animal and birdlife of our parks and reserves to our unique floral kingdom, the Northern Cape has something for everyone. In addition, we can also boast with great outdoor adventure activities, superlative incentive offerings, amazing cultural engagements and real slow living, so that visitors can really pick and choose itineraries that will suit their lifestyles and personal preferences,” mentions Martin.
Namaqua and the Karoo regions are perfect destinations for the over 50 audience with a variety of accommodation options ranging from guest houses, B&B’s to excellent caravan and camping facilities. The Namaqua region offers include leisurely hiking trails, interesting historic attractions such as the Old Copper Way commemorating the rich mining history of the province, the beautifully rugged |Ai|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park, stargazing at the SA Astronomical Observatory in Sutherland and the magnificent floral beauty of the Namaqua. Several tourism routes criss-cross through the province and is an ideal way to discover the hidden gems of the Northern Cape. The wide open spaces of the Karoo and the warm hospitality of its people offer a laid-back travel experience.
For families, the Diamond Fields and Kalahari regions are perfect for family fun that is both entertaining and educational. In total, there are six national parks and two of the country’s largest rivers in the Northern Cape, which makes water sport and game viewing some of the top must-do activities. A visit to the Big Hole museum complex in Kimberley is well worth a visit with a tram ride, interactive audio-visual presentations and an underground experience, while kids can even search for their own diamonds at the Diamond Dig and Skittle Alley.
The Green Kalahari beckons young adventurers, who are spoilt for choice with loads of affordable accommodation options such as backpacker lodges, camping sites and holiday resorts on the river banks. Perfect fun activities for a group of friends include white water river rafting down the mighty Orange River. For a rejuvenating stop-over, visit the Vanderkloof dam and its legendary Klub Kudu pub or go dune surfing in Witsand in the Kalahari. Discover a Kalahari Ferrari (better known as a donkey) during a visit to the Quiver Tree route outside Upington or enjoy a sundowner cruise on a barge in Upington.
The Northern Cape has also undoubtedly earned its reputation as the capital of adventure sports. For action-packed adventures, try a bridge swing in Barkly-West, rock climb or abseil at Riemvasmaak or embark on an epic, extreme MTB marathon. The world-class skate plaza in Kimberley has been home to the Maloof Money Cup skateboarding world championships for the past three years and offers skateboarding fans an exhilarating street and vert course. Take to the skies and go skydiving or paragliding at De Aar or join an extreme motorbike rally. Speed freaks can pull out all the stops during the annual Kalahari Desert Speedweek at Hakskeenpan, the site where the Bloodhound Supersonic Car will attempt to set the next world land speed record.
In addition, the Northern Cape has also become one of Southern Africa’s fastest growing business destinations. It offers a wide selection of excellent transport, logistics, communications and financial services, along with international standard accommodation and facilities to suit every requirement for meetings, conferences, events and exhibitions. Facilities such as the recently opened state-of-the-art of Mittah Seperepere Convention in Kimberley add to the stunning portfolio available to the MICE sector in the province with incredible breakaway opportunities in close proximity.
Get a sneak preview of the magic of the Northern Cape at stand DEC2 C20 at the Durban International Convention Centre from 11 – 14 May.
For more information, visit www.experiencenortherncape.com.
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For media enquiries, please contact Tebogo Velembo on +27 71 462 3150 or email tebogo@experiencenortherncape.com.