Tourism leaders, government officials and industry stakeholders from across the Western Cape gathered at the Saldanha Bay Hotel on Monday 8 and Tuesday 9 June for the Cape West Coast Regional Tourism Office (RTO) Forum.

Hosted under the theme “Inclusive Tourism: Unlocking Township and Community Opportunities,” the forum brought together representatives from national, provincial and local government, destination marketing organisations, tourism enterprises and community-based tourism initiatives to explore ways of growing tourism that benefits all sectors of society.

The two-day programme began with an immersive tourism excursion across Saldanha and St Helena Bay, allowing delegates to experience first-hand some of the region’s emerging tourism offerings.

The excursion included a visit to the Middelpos Township Experience, where participants engaged with local entrepreneurs and gained insight into how township tourism is creating meaningful economic opportunities while showcasing authentic local culture and heritage.

Delegates also toured a local active fishing harbour, providing a unique perspective on one of the West Coast’s most significant economic sectors and its connection to tourism.

The experience concluded with lunch at Oppikaai Seafood Restaurant, where visitors enjoyed locally sourced seafood while learning about the restaurant’s contribution to the region’s culinary and culture tourism offering.

Opening the forum on Tuesday, Wesgro Head of Leisure Tourism, Julia Louw, highlighted the importance of collaboration in building a resilient and inclusive tourism sector.

Welcoming delegates, West Coast District Municipality Deputy Mayor, Alderman Sandra Crafford, emphasised the critical role tourism plays in stimulating local economic development, supporting small businesses and creating employment opportunities throughout the region.

The programme featured presentations from key tourism institutions, including Wesgro, the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the National Department of Tourism and South African Tourism.

Discussions centred on destination marketing, tourism incentive programmes, brand positioning, investment opportunities and the role of tourism in supporting the District Development Model.

Tourism Officer at West Coast District Municipality, Jacqulene Melenephy, highlighted the strong connection between tourism, destination marketing, regional economic growth, and investment attraction. Her presentation emphasised the important coordinating role of the district municipality in fostering a unified tourism approach across the region.

The Middelpos Township Experience was widely recognised as an example of how tourism can empower local communities by creating employment, preserving cultural heritage and providing visitors with authentic and meaningful experiences. Similarly, businesses such as Oppikaai Seafood Restaurant and West Coast Distillers showcased how local enterprises are adding value to the regional tourism economy through innovation and distinctive visitor experiences.

The programme concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Ms Thabisile Mkhize, Local Economic Development Officer from Saldanha Bay Municipality who expressed a heartfelt thank you and appreciation to all stakeholders and partners and local products for always giving red carpet treatment at all times