The Department of Tourism is exploring Gariep Dam as a potential inland tourism and economic development hub.
Speaking at the second annual Coastal and Inland Waterways Tourism Investment Summit at Gariep Dam on September 9, Deputy Minister of Tourism Maggie Sotyu said development of the destination will require connecting water-based experiences with accommodation, conferencing, food, heritage, community experiences, recreation, events, nature and surrounding routes.
She said the objective is to turn Gariep from a place travellers might pass through into a destination where they stay longer and spend more.
“It means creating bookable itineraries instead of isolated products. And it means recognising Gariep’s position as a potential connector between tourism experiences in the Free State, Northern Cape and Eastern Cape,” said Sotyu.
Opportunities identified around the destination include waterfront infrastructure, boating, recreation, accommodation and community tourism.
Sotyu said the Department of Tourism has developed a concept for using prioritised inland water bodies for tourism development, with inland waterways now forming part of the department’s broader destination-development work.
Community cruise proposed
A proposed community-based inland cruise enterprise is also being considered for Gariep Dam.
However, Sotyu said the project will need regulatory certainty, safety compliance, market demand, viable infrastructure, sound governance, appropriate financing and capacity to operate sustainably.
“The business case before the summit recognises that these matters must be resolved before major procurement proceeds.”
