As September unfolds across South Africa, bringing the vibrant blooms of spring, the Western Cape is gearing up to officially launch Tourism Month on 1 September 2026. Setting the stage in the historic valley village of Goedverwacht, this year’s official opening shifts the spotlight away from typical city hotspots to showcase a transformative movement: “Tourism That Gives Back.”
Led by the Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, the launch highlights the power of regenerative tourism—a model designed to ensure visitor spending directly enriches rural communities, protects local heritage, and restores natural environments.
Grassroots Flavors and Community Roots
The event opens with a sensory celebration of local craftsmanship. Delegates and media will gather around a traditional bread table, featuring warm, freshly baked loaves prepared by the women of Goedverwacht. Paired with artisanal cheeses from Piket-Bo-Berg producers and fresh, locally roasted coffee from Eric Havenga of Berg Coffee, the spread represents the heart of Green Piketberg Route 366.
Small-scale farmer and Green Route Maker Merle Dietrich will highlight how this initiative empowers rural women. By linking backyard garden plots and small produce farms directly to local restaurants and travel operators, the route creates a seamless garden-to-table supply chain. Every bite tells a story of direct economic empowerment.
Following the formal address and a commemorative tree-planting ceremony, guests will embark on a curated journey along Route 366. The tour includes the rich heritage of the Piketberg Historic Route, a scenic farm-to-table lunch at Piekenierskloof Mountain Resort, and an authentic rooibos tea-tasting experience at Carmién Tea.
Bridging Heritage and the Digital Age
While Tourism Month 2026 aligns internationally with the UN Tourism theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism,” the Green Piketberg Route brings this high-tech concept into a practical rural setting. By leveraging digital innovation, small-scale producers, community experiences, and lesser-known historical sites can now reach global markets that were previously out of reach.
“Tourism Month is an opportunity to showcase how tourism can create shared value for our communities, our environment and our economy,” notes Minister Dr Ivan Meyer. “The Green Piketberg Route 366 demonstrates that tourism growth does not have to come at the expense of local people or natural resources.”
A Sustainable Path Forward
Connecting Goedverwacht, Piketberg, Wittewater, and Redelinghuys, the Green Piketberg Route 366 offers a blueprint for the future of travel in the Western Cape. It invites visitors to slow down, engage with the people behind the produce, and leave a positive footprint.
“Unlocking the full potential of tourism in Cape Town and the Western Cape means creating more opportunities for visitors to discover the depth and diversity of our destination, while ensuring that the benefits of tourism reach the communities and businesses that make our province so special. Green Piketberg Route 366 is a powerful example of how tourism can connect visitors with authentic experiences, local enterprise, agriculture and heritage. As we grow tourism across the province, our focus is on building a more inclusive and resilient visitor economy where tourism creates lasting value for both the people who live here and the people who come to experience it,” says Wesgro CEO, Wrenelle Stander.
