SANParks has officially opened its first township-based bookings office on the famous Vilikazi Street in the hopes of encouraging more local visitors into our national parks.
Soweto, South Africa (05 August 2022) – Everyone loves visiting the bush! It reconnects you to nature and gives a great perspective on what life is all about. So SANParks opened its first township booking office on the famous Vilikazi Street, to encourage more South Africans to head out to see our natural and wild spaces.
Soweto was chosen for the first township-based bookings office because it is known for its vibrant social character with people grouping themselves into formidable forums, such as stokvels or social clubs whose membership boasts many different types of personalities and profiles, ranging from the ordinary grandmother to the high-earning CEOs of companies and large corporate and public sector institutions.
Tapping into this market gives SANParks an opportunity to reach more South Africans and grow its visitor base. Acting Chief Executive Officer, Hapiloe Sello said the location of the office is also important because Vilikazi Street was the home of Nobel Peace Prize Winners, the late first President of democratic South Africa Nelson Mandela and Emeritus Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu.
“SANParks hopes to position itself as the primary holiday destination amongst the domestic market and specifically the youth, raise awareness of SANParks brand as well, as increase the number of black visitors to the National Parks and there is certainly no better way to launch such an initiative than during Youth Month and in the sprawling metropolis of Soweto” – Hapiloe Sello
This is just one of many ways that SANParks hopes to bring more local visitors into the parks of South Africa. They recently announced the official dates for Parks Week in South Africa; set to take place in September, Parks Week offers free entry for South African residents, so they can explore and see what nature has to offer. You can read more about it here.
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