Today, marked the launch of the locally crafted Khayelitsha Curated Routes tours, an initiative that was conceptualized and implemented by Cape Town Tourism.

Khayelitsha is a community that is rich in culture and filled with incredible potential, people and places to explore. The Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities James Vos says he is proud of this initiative, which showcases the local offering whilst creating new opportunities for the residents.

“The new approach challenges the traditional tourism model in townships where tourists are generally bussed into the neighbourhoods and often have minimal interaction with locals. The Curated Routes differ largely as they offer an experience as opposed to a ‘drive through’ a township. Additionally, it is crafted in partnership with small- medium- and micro-enterprises (SMMEs) operated by local residents who reside within the area.”

The Curated Routes focuses on a variety of experiences that visitors can sign-up for, allowing them to meander through the neighbourhood experiencing the area’s diverse activities and interacting with the most inspirational people, including artists, baristas and start-up business owners.

Vos says this new new tourist offering showcases the importance of bringing to life new products and exciting experiences in areas that were previously marginalised and excluded from the tourism landscape.

“I believe that products, such as the township experience, show that we are an inclusive city and we are ready to break barriers with ground-breaking tourism offerings that open up new opportunities. Tourism is a significant contributor to employment in our city that sustains around 300 000 jobs in total, making it the sector with the highest growth and employment potential.”

There are a variety of things to do and see in Khayelitsha. Information on the establishments that are a part of the Curated Routes can be found here:

http://bit.do/KhayeCuratedRoutes