West Coast Biosphere Trails Open for Business
It's been three years in the making but the Cape West Coast Biosphere Trails are now one of the newest trail products on offer in the Western Cape. Funding secured from the Development Bank of SA (DBSA) some three years ago enabled a team of consultants to prepare a trails feasibility plan and more recently the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) came to the party by providing funding for the implementation of the five trails.
Says, Janette du Toit, CEO of the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, "The trails are an exciting way to grow the local economy by supporting existing and emerging tourism and hospitality services in the region and sustaining the livelihoods of newly employed guides,
caterers and drivers.
Economic Impact Estimated to be R21 Million over 5 Years
The trails all make use of existing facilities and services in the region with an estimated R21 million in direct local spend over 5 years. The development of additional businesses that can support and benefit the trails, such as catering and shuttle services are being encouraged. The direct local spend in the West Coast over the past five months has been more than R120 000 (spent on guesthouses, catering, shuttles, etc). Additionally 3 new jobs have been created for local guides,
with R110 000 paid out in wages.
