Cape Town tourism takes Big Issue vendors to the top

Cape Town’s summer tourism season is getting underway and Cape Town Tourism has launched a summer campaign with the message: “Love Summer! Love Cape Town!”. 

To celebrate, Cape Town Tourism hosted one hundred top-achieving Big Issue vendors on a tour of the Cape Peninsula and a visit to the top of Table Mountain via the Cable Car. This follows on from Cape Town Tourism’s successful partnership with the Big Issue that started in the lead-up to this year’s FIFA World Cup tournament, where vendors were trained as tourism ambassadors and provided with rainbow-coloured bibs. 

Partners on the excursion included Springbok Atlas, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, who also provided lunch.

Trudy Vlok, MD of the Big Issue says, "In the run-up to Friday’s event, the Big Issue vendors were very excited about the opportunity to experience the sights of the Mother City from the perspective of a VIP tourist.  None of them are in a position to do this kind of thing in their everyday lives.  The partnership with Cape Town Tourism gives them the chance to see the beauty of the city from the "other" side.  Quite simply, they’re over the moon.  The Big Issue would like to thank Cape Town Tourism for making this wonderful day possible."

Speaking from the top of Table Mountain, 27 year old Xolani Nyengane, a Big Issue vendor for the past three years said: “I am looking at Table Mountain everyday from where I wake up in the Cape Flats to where I sell my magazines in town. I never thought that I would actually get on top of that Mountain one day and look at me now – here I am on top of the world. Today I feel so blessed to be part of this community of brothers and sisters at the Big Issue. Thank you Cape Town Tourism for doing something special today.”

Cape Town Tourism’s long-term partnership with the Big Issue is a rewarding relationship for all concerned.

Says Cape Town Tourism CEO, Mariëtte du Toit-Helmbold; “The Big Issue vendors are in the perfect position to be tourism ambassadors for our City as they are visible and recognisable, and participating in our urban landscape. They also represent Cape Town’s entrepreneurial spirit.”
Cape Town Tourism would like to extend a “thank you” to all Big Issue vendors for their hard work throughout the year and their commitment to friendly service delivery. Cape Town Tourism looks forward to the continuation of this partnership into 2011.

Valere Tjolle
Valere Tjolle is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite: EXTRA SPECIAL OFFER at:
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