The resort will reopen on November 1, 2027, with an upgraded lobby, new signature dining experiences including the new Beach Rouge and EAST restaurants, as well as refreshed guestrooms and public spaces. 

The reopening will take place in phases, with the resort launching seven new villas on February 1, 2028.

For upcoming reservations that fall within the closure period, TLC Vacations will facilitate a relocation to another resort within the LUX* portfolio on the island.

The workshop was convened by the SADC Secretariat and brought together senior personnel from the five partner states, Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, alongside representatives from South Africa in its current capacity as SADC chair.

On the second day, the Southern Africa Tourism Alliance (SATA) delivered its Tourism-Focused Customer Service Training for Border Officials. SATA piloted the course through a train-the-trainer programme in 2024, building a facilitator curriculum, delegate manuals, and role-plays drawn from real border scenarios.

The training was delivered in support of the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030, which aims to build a sustainable regional tourism industry and reduce the non-tariff barriers that slow travel between member states. Victoria Falls holds a key position as a gateway to the Kavango Zambezi tourism circuits, where many itineraries cross several national borders. The training recognised that effective border management balances security with empathy, enabling stakeholders to respond professionally to the diverse needs and expectations of travellers.

“Every visitor’s experience begins with the people they encounter on arrival,” said Natalia Rosa, SATA tourism project lead, who facilitated the workshop in Victoria Falls. “For many, the border provides both the first and last impression of a destination, making these stakeholders the gatekeepers of our regional reputation.”

While border officials are primarily recognised for safeguarding national borders, the programme recognised their equally important role in representing the region to visitors. Sessions covered verbal, non-verbal and cross-cultural communication, alongside practical conflict de-escalation techniques for those working in pressured situations. Throughout the training, participants explored how customer service strengthens effective border management without compromising security.

The training also highlighted the wider role tourism plays in supporting the SADC region’s economies. Every visitor who crosses the border supports a network of accommodation providers, restaurants, guides, transport operators and attractions. Participants were encouraged to recognise that the welcome visitors receive at the border can influence whether they return, recommend the destination or choose to explore more of the region in future.

“One of the programme’s greatest strengths was bringing together the people who lead border operations across the region,” Rosa said. “By building a shared understanding of the dual role border stakeholders play as custodians of national security and ambassadors for the region, participants can reinforce that approach within their own teams. That consistency benefits travellers, supports effective border management and strengthens regional tourism.”

Munetsi gave the figure at a side event co-convened by the SADC Secretariat and the Southern Africa Tourism Alliance (SATA) at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 in Durban. Visas, border efficiency and air access were all on the agenda, three angles on the same challenge. As SATA Project Lead Natalia Rosa told delegates, “Regional connectivity is the single most important strategic conversation the tourism sector should be having right now. Every other conversation, about brand, about positioning, about the growth of our visitor economy, is downstream of it.”

The machinery to achieve the goals set out in the SADC Tourism Programme 2020-2030 is moving. The SADC UniVisa is working through the inter-ministerial process towards the Heads of State Summit in August, a border post audit begins in July, and the air access study is complete and under review.

What industry is asking for

The private sector used the session to table proposals. Munetsi called for aviation policy, taxation and pilot licensing to be aligned across the region. Jillian Blackbeard, CEO of Africa’s Eden Tourism Association, proposed a SADC-wide border training programme with dedicated tourist channels and consistent procedures at crossings, the kind of standard the July audit could adopt.

Dimakatso Malwela, President of Women of Value Southern Africa, took the conversation somewhere it usually does not go. Her proposal, a supply development pilot across three to five member states, would bring women-led businesses into the tourism value chain and report measurable results inside twelve months. Her point was that connectivity moves visitors, but it does not decide who earns from them.

A live delegate poll showed where the consensus lay. New intra-regional air routes and one-stop posts at the busiest crossings were named as the changes most likely to shift things within two years.

The case for Team Tourism

“Team Tourism” kept coming up, because the reforms now under way only work when government and industry pull in the same direction. Governments can set the visa frameworks, the border procedures and the aviation policies, but none of it reaches a visitor unless the private sector is ready to act on it: itineraries built, operators briefed, agents able to sell the region as one place, not one country at a time.

Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa and SATA Chair, put the obligation on both sides. “Apex bodies across SADC must commit to coordinated action,” he said. “Governments cannot respond to fragmented briefs.”

On the UniVisa, the ICT systems, legal frameworks and revenue-sharing models are built, benchmarked against the KAZA UniVisa and the East African Tourism Visa. The founding group of Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe provides a strong foundation for a pilot, and the August Summit is one of several moments where the pilot could be formalised.

A shared visa already makes travel between Zambia and Zimbabwe easier, so the model is proven. Scaling it is a step only government can take. The UniVisa needs an implementation roadmap and a go-live date. The air access study needs a public position on what proceeds, and by when. The July border audit is the moment to ensure training translates into consistent regional standards.

The private sector is getting ready, which is why SATA will keep pressing for all three together. A visa with no routes behind it, or open borders with no air access to use them, helps no one. Move them as one, hold every party to its part, and Southern Africa finally connects itself.

Cape Town: Africa Travel Week, built by RX Africa, has released its annual State of the Industry Report. The comprehensive, data-driven report examines the forces transforming travel and tourism across the continent, from aviation access and AI-driven distribution to sustainability compliance, inclusion and the next generation workforce.

The report arrives at a pivotal moment. Africa welcomed 81 million international visitors in 2025 – 8% growth, the fastest of any region globally – and aviation capacity surged 13.7% to 182.4 million departure seats. Yet the headline numbers mask a more fractured reality: Central and Western Africa recorded 0% aviation growth while Eastern Africa surged 24.3%; fewer than 5% of African hospitality properties hold third-party sustainability certification, despite the EU’s greenwashing ban activating in September 2026; and 72% of Gen Z now use AI to plan travel, meaning operators without machine-readable inventory are invisible before the conversation even begins.

“This report explores current themes and trends,” said Olivia Gradidge, Marketing Manager, WTM Africa & ILTM Africa. “Including trust, AI and travel tech, traveller psychology, sustainability and authenticity.”

Commissioned to Big Ambitions, RX Africa’s content, communications and marketing agency, the report draws on contributions from more than 25 industry leaders, academics, and practitioners across the continent, including environmental expert Dr Louise de Waal, director of the Blood Lions campaign to end commercial captive lion breeding and canned hunting, Judy Kepher Gona, founder and executive director at Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda (STTA), and Luckson Zambuko, Founder of the African Youth in Tourism and Hospitality Association. 

“What struck us most when compiling this report was not the scale of the opportunity – that has always been evident – but the specificity of what is now required to capture it,” said Dorine Reinstein, Content Director, Big Ambitions. “The operators and destinations that are winning in 2026 are not the ones with the best product, but the ones with the best proof. Proof of access, proof of trust, proof of sustainability, proof of welcome. That shift– from aspiration to verification – is the defining commercial reality this report addresses.”

The full report, including a ten-point manifesto for African tourism stakeholders, is available at https://soi2026.yop.co.za/ – required reading for every operator, investor, policymaker, and destination marketer with a stake in the future of African tourism.

It was introduced by Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, with a video at the opening ceremony of WTM Africa on Monday, 13 April, and supported by a panel discussion on the Future Stage on Wednesday, 15 April. 

The panel, sponsored by LIFT and moderated by Dorine Reinstein, included David Frost, CEO of SATSA; Judy Kepher Gona, Director of Sustainable Travel & Tourism Africa; Kwakye Donkor, CEO of Africa Tourism Partners; Liesel van Zyl, Head of Positive Impact and Product Development at Go2Africa; and Rashid Toefy, Deputy Director-General for Economic Operations at the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The full video can be found here: WTM Africa 2026: ATW State of the Industry Report Launch

Since its launch in 2021 by Preferred Travel Group, Beyond Green has emerged as a leading force for positive change across the global travel industry. Beyond Green has experienced a steady growth of diverse hotels, resorts, and lodges that each uphold rigorous sustainability standards across environmentally friendly practices, support for natural and cultural heritage, the social and economic wellbeing of local communities, and sustainable tourism management. 

Building on a strong foundation of 24 founding members, Beyond Green has nearly tripled its footprint through a carefully considered approach to expansion. The brand has developed its strategic partnerships, deepening its collaboration with industry leader andBeyond and aligning with prominent non-profit organizations such as The Travel Foundation, 1% For The Planet and Travalyst to strengthen sector-wide impact and amplify collective progress. At the same time, Beyond Green has evolved into a more comprehensive platform for sustainable travel, bringing together its global portfolio, Beyond Green Hotels, with the advisory expertise of Beyond Green Consulting, while expanding engagement with destinations, partners, and global coalitions to advance responsible tourism worldwide.

“As we celebrate five years of Beyond Green, we’re honoring a growing global community united by a shared belief: that travel can and should be a catalyst for positive impact,” said Philipp Weghmann, President, Beyond Green. “This milestone reflects the collective commitment of our members and marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter focused on deeper collaboration, expanded services, and measurable results.”

To commemorate the anniversary, Beyond Green is launching “Impact in Five” a series of purpose‑driven programs and announcements rolling out throughout 2026. These initiatives highlight the brand’s evolution, its expanding global footprint, and its commitment to advancing sustainable travel through collaboration, innovation, and data‑driven impact. 

To mark the start of these initiatives, I Prefer Hotel Rewards, Beyond Green’s loyalty program, is relaunching I Prefer Points for Good.Members are invited to use their I Prefer points to support meaningful action that benefits the planet, from nurturing resilient communities and conserving wild places to advancing impactful conservation and sustainable community development initiatives. When members donate their I Prefer points to Wild Impact, the nonprofit partner of Beyond Green member andBeyond, their contributions directly support efforts to protect wild landscapes, partner with local communities, and create long‑term, positive change where it matters most.

For more than 30 years, the nonprofit Wild Impact has worked alongside andBeyond to support the conservation of wild landscapes and seascapes, and the sustainable development of the partner communities that live in and adjacent to them. The organization’s work spans a range of focus areas across the regions it serves, including supporting resilient, biodiverse landscapes and seascapes; developing community education and healthcare infrastructure; unlocking new‑generational talent and the potential of young leaders by expanding access to tertiary opportunities and impactful environmental education; and improving climate resilience, building enterprise capacity, and boosting youth employment. 

Designed to inspire responsible travel, the offer highlights meaningful, locally grounded experiences that reflect Beyond Green’s commitment to protecting nature, celebrating culture, and supporting communities. To further amplify impact, I Prefer will match every point donated, up to one million points, effectively doubling each contribution. Point donations are accepted in select increments from April 22 through May 31, 2026. Funds raised will support Community and Conservation Rangers in the Okavango Delta, who work at the intersection of people, wildlife, and the environment. They deliver environmental education lessons in schools, support communities affected by human-wildlife conflict, and lead climate resilience initiatives focused on food security and water access.

To find out more about I Prefer Points for Good, travelers are invited to visit iprefer.com/beyond-green/points-for-good and to explore the Beyond Green portfolio via the brand website staybeyondgreen.com. 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world’s largest independent hotel brand representing more than 625 luxury hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries, is strengthening its presence across Africa with continued strategic expansion. The announcement comes against a backdrop of significant regional momentum, with the brand recording a 32% increase in bookings, a 55% rise in room nights, 73% growth in revenue, and a 12% increase in average daily rate across its African portfolio year-on-year. 

The brand’s regional portfolio now spans 37 member properties across nine countries – South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Tanzania, Mauritius, Madagascar, and Ghana. 

“Africa remains a priority growth market for our brand, and the numbers reflect that,” said Saurabh Rai, Executive Vice President, South Asia, Middle East & Africa at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “We are seeing sustained, meaningful demand across key African destinations, driven by international travellers seeking longer, more experience-led stays. Our continued expansion is a direct response to that demand, and we are committed to deepening our footprint through partnerships that champion the very best of independent African luxury.”

Building on strong momentum from 2025, Preferred Hotels & Resorts has expanded its African portfolio with the addition of 11 new properties between Q4 2025 and Q1 2026. That includes two new hotel launches in Zanzibar and South Africa and five luxury Nile River cruise experiences in Egypt, representing the largest single period of portfolio growth the brand has seen in Africa in many years. 

Growth in the region is being seen across various destinations, with South Africa, particularly Cape Town and Kruger National Park, continuing to see strong demand from international leisure and luxury travellers alongside a steady recovery in the MICE segment. East Africa is recording growth in safari and experiential travel, with increased interest from European and North American markets, while the Indian Ocean Islands continue to see consistent demand for luxury beach extensions, frequently combined with safari itineraries. 

Expansion of Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ prestigious Legend Collection also remains central to this strategy, with five standout properties across the continent, including Kasbah Tamadot in Morocco, Finch Hattons Luxury Safari Camp and Mahali Mzuri in Kenya, and Mont Rochelle and Ulusaba in South Africa. 

“We are proud to showcase Africa’s diversity through an exceptional portfolio of independent hotels,” added Celeste Vogel, Account Director for Africa at Preferred Hotels & Resorts. “Each new member brings a distinctive perspective on luxury, deeply rooted in local culture and authentic experiences. For travel agents across the region, this expanded portfolio, backed by dedicated on-the-ground support, competitive commission structures, and the full weight of Preferred’s global sales and marketing network, represents a genuine opportunity to offer their clients something truly differentiated.”

New Member Additions Across Africa (Q4 2025 – Q1 2026):

• ENVI Paje (Zanzibar, Tanzania) – Lifestyle Collection: Set to open in June on Zanzibar’s serene southeast coast, ENVI Paje is a design-forward eco-lodge blending barefoot luxury with holistic wellbeing. Centred on vitality, stillness, and connection, the retreat offers 22 nature-immersed villas, ocean-led dining, and a spa rooted in ancient and modern practices.  
• Lion in the Sun Boutique Hotel & Spa (Malindi, Kenya) – Lifestyle Collection: Nestled along Kenya’s Indian Ocean coastline, this boutique retreat offers just 16 rooms and suites, delivering a highly personalised, slow-living experience centred on wellness and connection with Swahili charm. Guests can unwind at the spa, enjoy locally inspired dining, or explore curated experiences from beachside relaxation to safaris and cultural excursions. 
• Last Word Makanyane (Madikwe, South Africa) – Lifestyle Collection: Located within Madikwe Game Reserve, this exclusive new lodge will open on 1 July. Featuring eight luxury river-facing suites, guests can enjoy exceptional game viewing, including the Big Five, with twice-daily drives. Blending traditional South African design with modern comfort, the lodge offers gourmet dining and immersive nature encounters. The property joins five additional Last Word properties within the Preferred Hotels & Resorts portfolio across South Africa.
• Owloon Manor House (Paarl, South Africa) – Residences Collection: Situated in the heart of the Cape Winelands, Owloon Manor House offers a refined private residence experience designed for unhurried immersive stays. This exclusive-use estate comprises an eight-bedroom en-suite manor house and a separate two-bedroom heritage cottage, where timeless architecture meets contemporary comfort. Set amongst vineyards and orchards, the estate offers curated experiences such as private chef dining, bespoke wellness treatments, and outdoor pursuits including tennis, swimming, walking, and cycling, creating a deeply private and tailored escape in one of South Africa’s most evocative landscapes. 
• Yellowwood Cottage (Langebaan, South Africa) – Residences Collection: Set within the protected landscape of the West Coast National Park overlooking the lagoon, Yellowwood Cottage offers a rare off-grid coastal escape in the quiet hamlet of Churchhaven. This exclusive use-home features three en-suite bedrooms, along with a dedicated bunk-bedded children’s room with separate bathroom. Open-plan spaces and indoor–outdoor living frame uninterrupted views, with days shaped by immersion in the surrounding landscape – wildlife and birdwatching, paddleboarding, and stargazing. Personalised services are available on request, supporting a private retreat defined by seclusion, connection, and understated coastal beauty.
• Coral Sea Holiday Resort, Encora Collection (Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt) – Lifestyle Collection: A vibrant Red Sea beachfront resort, Coral Sea Holiday Resort combines upscale comfort with family-friendly energy. With 484 rooms, including swim-up options, it caters to all travel styles. Highlights include a lively aqua park, diverse international dining, and a full-service wellness centre. Guests can enjoy activities ranging from sports and entertainment to kids’ programs, making it a dynamic destination for both relaxation and adventure.
• Encora Collection Cruises (Egypt) – Lifestyle Collection: This collection introduces five exceptional Nile cruise experiences, blending Red Sea resort elegance with immersive river journeys. Guests can choose between the contemporary Mazaj MS Tamr and Mazaj MS Tulip, or the more intimate dahabiyas, Mazaj Sia, Mazaj Seba, and Mazaj Meroot, each offering personalised service, refined dining, spa facilities, and curated itineraries between Luxor and Aswan. 

Preferred Hotels & Resorts’ commitment to the African market extends beyond its growing portfolio. The brand’s Africa-based team, including Celeste Vogel, Account Director for Africa; Kimon de Zeeuw, Manager of Hotel Revenue Optimisation; and Francois Joubert, Senior Manager of Sales for Africa, provides dedicated on-the-ground support for both hotel partners and travel agents across the region. This includes training, sales support, assistance with client requests and conversions, and access to Preferred’s global sales and centralised reservation channels. Agent partners also benefit from inclusion in regional campaigns, roadshows, trade activations, and global initiatives designed to drive visibility and demand, with the brand maintaining an active presence at key industry events across the continent throughout 2026, including Africa’s Travel Indaba in May, a Southern Africa Roadshow across Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe in June, and a West Africa Showcase in Lagos in September. 

The boutique travel event, held at the Norval Foundation in Cape Town, recorded a 37% increase in attendance compared to 2025, with 87% of buyers attending for the first time, drawn from 32 countries. Appointments increased by 29% year-on-year, reflecting a surge in commercial intent from luxury buyers actively seeking African experiences.

The results are striking given the broader context of global uncertainty. According to the newly released State of African Tourism 2026 report, the continent is successfully “selling certainty in an anxious world.” Because high-end safaris and luxury itineraries are typically booked 12 to 18 months in advance, and demand for established destinations remains resolute, the region’s tourism industry is not expected to be materially affected by ongoing disruptions in the Middle East. Instead, discerning luxury travellers are increasingly looking to Africa not as an alternative, but as a trusted destination of first choice.

Africa’s hotel development pipeline tells its own story: with 55% of the entire continental pipeline currently under construction, investor confidence in African luxury hospitality is at an historic high. The infrastructure is being built, and ILTM Africa’s record buyer numbers suggest the demand is ready to meet it.

The 87% new buyer figure is perhaps the most telling statistic of all. As the State of African Tourism report highlights, the post-pandemic “revenge travel” wave has crashed, replaced by a more informed, discerning traveller for whom trust is the new currency. This influx of new buyers suggests that ILTM Africa is actively converting these new markets, translating directly into fresh commercial pipelines and relationships for exhibitors that did not exist twelve months ago. Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, the organiser behind ILTM Africa, noted: “The travel sector has always been a people industry selling high-value, high-stakes experiences. Africa Travel Week has evolved into a powerful in-person event where technology handles the heavy lifting, and humans focus on the relationship building that defines this industry.”

Exhibitor numbers have grown to 780 – a double-digit increase on 2025 – drawn from 40 countries and supported by 43 tourism boards and 65 event partners. A total of 13,500 appointments have been confirmed, a 35% increase on last year.

Perhaps the most significant story within the numbers is the breadth of new participation. Fifteen countries are represented by buyers for the first time, including Jamaica, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Pakistan, Denmark, and Portugal. This geographical spread reflects Africa’s growing appeal across entirely new source markets. On the exhibitor side, Angola, Cyprus, Djibouti, Jordan, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Germany, and the UAE are all participating for the first time.

Crucially, 81% of hosted buyers and Buyers’ Club members are entirely new to WTM Africa, a remarkable statistic that points to an event rapidly expanding its global footprint.

The timing of this year’s event carries particular significance. As the travel industry continues to navigate the ripple effects of conflict in the Middle East, which is disrupting established travel corridors, shifting source markets, and forcing a global reassessment of destination strategy, face-to-face trade events have become vital. 

Carol Weaving, Managing Director of RX Africa, said in the opening event: “Africa Travel Week has evolved into a powerful in-person event where technology handles the heavy lifting, and humans focus on the relationship building that defines this industry. Our people are our superpower.”

The industry’s own research reinforces this human-centred approach. This year’s State of the Industry Report, commissioned for Africa Travel Week, highlights that the path forward for African tourism is rooted in empathy and genuine human connection: “It’s how you interact with the traveller as a human being and understand where their specific needs are.”

The tangible economic value of these connections was highlighted by Alderman James Vos, who noted that Cape Town’s international flights have surged to over 230 per week, with tourism now supporting over 106,000 jobs in the city. 

“As a City government, we made a deliberate decision to host WTM Africa,” Vos said during his opening address. “It is an investment that delivers real economic returns. With over 100 countries represented here and 8,000 trade professionals doing deals on this floor, the impact goes far beyond these few days. It translates into future bookings, sustained demand, and long-term growth. Tourism is a team sport. When travellers choose South Africa, they are choosing an experience that no single destination can deliver alone.”

Beyond the exhibition floor, WTM Africa 2026 features a comprehensive content programme of 101 speakers across 82 curated sessions, spanning travel tech, responsible tourism, adventure tourism, medical tourism, golf tourism, and sports and events tourism. The Africa Tourism Investment Conference (ATIC), taking place on Tuesday 14 April, brought together investors, policymakers, and tourism leaders to interrogate the continent’s infrastructure ambitions and investment pipeline.

“Africa, the time is now, and the growth is palpable,” said Weaving, extending special thanks to the host city of Cape Town and Alderman James Vos for the city’s continued commitment to positioning the Mother City as Africa’s premier events destination.

Table of Contents

There is a version of Stellenbosch that most people carry in their minds before they arrive. Oak-lined streets. Wine estates. Gourmet restaurants. Perhaps a cheese platter on a sun-drenched stoep.

It’s a beautiful picture, yes, but it tells only part of the story.

The Stellenbosch that reveals itself to those who look a little deeper, who wake early and follow a river instead of a map, is something else entirely. A place of genuine surprise, where the most memorable moments were never on the itinerary.

According to Annemie Liebenberg, CEO of Visit Stellenbosch:

“Stellenbosch has always been extraordinary. What has changed is the invitation. This year, we are moving beyond the highlights reel and asking a more meaningful question: what happens when you stop ticking boxes and start paying attention? The answer, captured in our promise of ‘Unexpected Firsts. Unforgettable Moments,’ is what this town has always quietly offered. Some places you visit. Stellenbosch, you experience.”

Here is what a single day of paying attention might actually look like – just one example of the thousands of incredible, unexpected “firsts” that await…

Sunrise: The Valley That Wakes Before the Town Does

There is a quieter, more intimate side of Stellenbosch that reveals itself in the early hours of the day.

Before the estates open their gates and the coffee shops pull back their shutters, the Dwarsrivier Valley (a stretch of raw, unhurried landscape framed by the Simonsberg mountains and threaded by the Dwars River) is already alive, offering the kind of stillness that makes you aware of your own breathing.

Accessible via the R310, roughly 10 to 20 kilometres from the town centre, the valley draws trail runners and mountain bikers who understand something others are only beginning to discover: that this landscape, at this specific time, is one of the most beautiful places in South Africa.

There are trails of varying lengths for both mountain bikers and runners, winding through rocky singletrack and open farmland with elevation gains that reward the effort with panoramic views across the valley floor. The paths suit a range of fitness levels, and local guides are available for those who prefer company over solitude.

Morning: A Gallery with No Walls

Come mid-morning, after a comforting cuppa and an energising breakfast, you can choose to follow the Eerste River and let it lead you somewhere special.

The Stellenbosch Art Mile is a 1.6-kilometre open-air gallery that runs along the riverbank from the Krige Street pedestrian bridge to the Coetzenburg bridge, crossing six bridges beneath a canopy of trees. It’s free and open around the clock, and it asks nothing of you except that you pay attention.

Various South African artists have placed their work along this route, including interactive metal sculptures and site-specific pieces tied to the river’s geology and history. Recent themes have explored concepts of reflection, time, and the layered human relationship with landscape. QR codes on many of the works connect to the artists directly, but there’s no gift shop and no queue.

For those who want to extend the morning, the Dylan Lewis Sculpture Garden sits just a short drive away on Paradyskloof Road: seven hectares of indigenous fynbos and mountain views populated by more than 60 bronze sculptures exploring wilderness and the deeper terrain of the human psyche. Visits are by appointment only, which means you’ll never share the encounter with a crowd.

Together, the two experiences form something rare: an art morning that feels genuinely discovered rather than consumed.

Midday: The Table You Were Not Expecting

Forget, for a moment, everything the word “tasting” conjures.

In the Kayamandi township, just minutes from the centre of Stellenbosch, Nocawe Piedtopens her home and her table to visitors in a way that changes what hospitality means in this part of the world. This is the Township & Village home dining experience, and it’s unlike anything else available in the Winelands.

The table is laden with traditional Xhosa dishes, like pap, chakalaka, samp, stew, spinach with potatoes, pumpkin with sweet corn, and chicken feet, alongside amagwinya, the traditional Xhosa beer that has been poured at celebrations here for generations. There’sdancing, drumming, storytelling, and the particular warmth of a community that has chosen to share its culture not as a performance, but as a genuine act of welcome.

It’s the most unexpected lunch in the Winelands. It is also, for many who experience it, the most unforgettable.

Afternoon: A Tasting That Tastes Like South Africa

The conventional wine tasting is not what Vergenoegd Löw had in mind when they created their Indigenous Tasting.

Spekboom. Bokkoms. Roosterkoek. Kaiings. Amasi. Dexter biltong. Kei apple. The Indigenous Tasting draws on ingredients that have sustained communities across southern Africa for centuries. Flavours that most visitors have never encountered and that most tasting rooms would never think to serve. Each element is paired with estate-grown wines that reflect what Vergenoegd Löw calls their “merroir”: the particular character of this specific place andthis specific soil.

It’s a tasting that asks a quiet but significant question: how well do you actually know this land?

The answer, for most visitors, is not as well as they thought. Which is precisely the point.

Sunset: The Street That Becomes a Living Room

As the light turns golden and the oak trees cast long shadows across Drostdy Street, something shifts in Stellenbosch. The energy is contagious and everyone, locals and visitors alike, comes together to laugh, eat, sip, chat, and simply enjoy the moment.

The Stellenbosch Street Soirées, a summertime highlight, are among the most joyful expressions of what this town truly is at its core: a community that genuinely enjoys itself. Wine tokens in hand, visitors graze on street food and find themselves in conversations they never planned to have with people they never expected to meet.

No itinerary leads here, and no booking is required. You simply follow the music and let the evening unfold.

It is the perfect final note for a day that began in a misty valley and moved through river art, a township kitchen, and an indigenous wine pairing. A day that looked nothing like the Stellenbosch most visitors would imagine, and everything like the one they will spend years trying to describe to people who were not there.

Stellenbosch is only 40 minutes from Cape Town, or a scenic 25-minute helicopter transfer away, placing you within easy reach of your next unforgettable moment. For more information on experiences, visit www.visitstellenbosch.org

As the gap widens between ‘marketing sustainability’ and ‘operational reality,’ these awards identify the trailblazers who are turning responsible tourism principles into measurable, scalable business assets.

Important Dates and Entry Information

• Entry Deadline: 17 April 2026
• Awards Ceremony: 22 June 2026 at Experience Africa, London
• Cost: Free to enter
• Limit: Applicants may enter a maximum of two categories.

Following a surge in high-calibre entries in 2025, the 2026 programme retains its ten established categories spanning the full spectrum of regenerative travel, from marine conservation and climate innovation to community empowerment and ethical storytelling. This is a deliberate strategic move. By keeping the criteria consistent, ATTA® is establishing a year-on-year yardstick.

Chris Mears, CEO of ATTA Group Events, explained the shift in expectation:

“By keeping our categories consistent, we are challenging the industry to show us progress. We want to see how last year’s emerging ideas have become this year’s business models. An initiative might look good on paper, but we need to question how it actually changes a life, contributes to saving a species, or alters a supply chain. We encourage all organisations to enter, from small eco-lodges to major operators. If you have a blueprint that works, the industry needs to see, model, and celebrate it.” 

Nigel Vere-Nicoll, ATTA® Honorary President, emphasised that these awards are designed to separate those sayingthe right things from those doing the hard work.

“Africa is setting itself apart as a world leader in regenerative tourism, and these awards are the mechanism by which we validate that claim.” 

The awards apply a double check process on scoring with a selected group of judges. “We have assembled a judging panel that combines historical industry knowledge with the fresh, uncompromising perspective of young changemakers,” added Vere-Nicoll.  

“Beyond recognition, these awards provide a platform for organisations to position themselves as leaders in the eyes of international buyers actively seeking purpose-led partners. Entering is an opportunity to validate their team’s hard work on a global stage,” Vere-Nicoll concluded. 

To enter and view full criteria, visit: https://awards.atta.travel/

For further information please contact: chris@attagroup.events

ABOUT ATTA®

ATTA® (The African Travel and Tourism Association) is the leading pan-African trade association promoting tourism to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Known as the “Voice of African Tourism,” ATTA® serves over 900 member businesses, including accommodation providers, tour operators, and travel specialists. It provides accurate industry news, hosts networking events and trade shows, and delivers valuable member training and resources. For more information, visit atta.travel.

Join the ATTA® Media Network to gain access to news about tourism in Africa, access to spokespeople and thought leaders and other media benefits. Email media@atta.travel for details.

About ATTA Group Events:

ATTA Group Events is the foremost platform for connecting African suppliers with top international buyers at various shows. Promoting an expansive range of travel products and unique experiences from across Africa, ATTA Group Events hosts B2B events that are not just a meeting ground but a catalyst for forging essential industry connections, making these #ThePlaceToConnect for the African tourism industry.