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South Africa kicks off its annual Tourism Month this September, celebrating under the theme “Tourism and Peace – 30 years of Connecting People to Places and Cultures.” The spotlight shines brightly on the Northern Cape, a province set to dazzle as the country’s premier destination for Astro-Tourism.
“This year, we’re not just inviting people to travel; we’re connecting them to the stars,” said the Minister of Tourism, as the festivities began. The Northern Cape, home to the world-renowned Square Kilometer Array (SKA) radio telescope and South Africa’s Largest Telescope (SALT), offers unpolluted night skies that are perfect for celestial exploration.
Tourism Month isn’t just about stargazing, though. Festivities across all nine provinces will showcase the nation’s diverse travel offerings, with Sho’t Left Travel Week (2-8 September 2024) offering affordable deals to inspire exploration. Additionally, South African Parks Week (9-15 September) provides free entry to citizens, further encouraging domestic travel.
World Tourism Day, celebrated on 27 September, will see the launch of the Astro-Tourism Strategy in Carnarvon, Northern Cape, highlighting the province’s unique blend of science and culture.
With tourism contributing more to South Africa’s GDP than transport, mining, and agriculture, domestic travel remains the backbone of the industry. “Our citizens are the true champions of our tourism sector,” said the Minister, underscoring the importance of local travel in sustaining this vital industry.