To support tourism recovery in the Western Cape the Western Cape Government are working hard to find innovative ways to attract visitors by embracing new forms of global travel that have emerged with the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, David Maynier, wrote to the Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, and the Minister of Home Affairs, Aaron Motsoaledi, with a submission to request that national government urgently introduce a ‘Remote Working Visa’ to allow international visitors to stay longer and work remotely while travelling in South Africa.
The Western Cape has everything it takes to be the best remote working location in the world if we remove the red tape and roll out the red carpet for digital nomad tourists. “For that reason, we have also written to the Deputy Minister of Finance, David Masondo, in his role as part of Operation Vulindela, because removing regulatory barriers such as this one will be key to driving investment in South Africa and stimulating overall economic recovery and growth.” Globally, many countries are competing to capture the market for the longer-stay tourist who can work online from anywhere in the world, while earning and spending foreign currency in the country they are visiting. This is an important market right now, as this type of tourist is more resilient to the challenges that traditional tourism is facing given ongoing travel restrictions. Such tourists will also remain an important source of sustainable tourism long after the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition, to ensure that digital nomads are considering the province as a destination for remote work, Wesgro will launch a dedicated portal that curates and promotes a range of accommodation establishments and services across multiple locations to guide those looking for longer-stay options in the Western Cape.
This follows a successful campaign run in partnership with Airbnb to promote remote working domestically, encouraging South Africans to take advantage of the flexibility that working from anywhere brings.
Cape Town has made the 2021 list for the 50 “Best Cities for Remote Working” according to Big 7 Travel, but many of our small, coastal towns such as Langebaan and Hermanus are also proving very popular with those looking for destinations that offer good connectivity and a great outdoor lifestyle.
With family-friendly options in the city as well as a world of activities to explore across the province, the Western Cape is perfect for those who want more out of their day – a meeting on the mountain, a dip in the ocean during screen breaks or the joy of working from the many breath-taking wine farms and quaint towns. The region has everything a remote worker needs for one day, three months, or even longer, and promises experiences that are wallet-friendly and world-class.
