It’s business as usual for the Mother City this December despite the worst drought in history. Cape Town is ready and waiting to welcome you to her sunny shores during your southern African safari and invites you to join Cape Town hospitality in their challenge by saving water during your stay in this thriving city.
Working Together for Happy Holidays
The Mother City has contingency plans to cater for the influx of tourists this summer and assures tourists that they are more than welcome to visit, as planned.
Every year thousands of local and international visitors flock to Cape Town for fine dining, unique sites, glorious beach experiences and more. Not only do Capetonians love to share their lovely city with travelers, but tourism is essential to the economy of the Western Cape.
Don’t Stay Away
The hospitality industry is well aware of the challenges ahead and has made provisions for them. Airbnb, Wesgro, CapeNature and the Western Cape Government are all working together to minimise the impact of millions of visitors during the festive season.
Go with the Flow
Thanks to these committed institutions, most of the accommodation providers in the city have been supplied with low-flow shower-heads for their facilities.
In addition, visitors are asked to implement a few small changes to their routines in order to help with saving as much water as possible.
Some of these include:
- Minimizing water use during peak times
- Being aware of running faucets
- Avoiding washing their cars
- Limiting the unnecessary use of dishwashers
- Avoiding changing towels and linen unnecessarily
These kinds of water saving measures can easily be implemented at very little inconvenience to guests. Cape Town urges visitors to go with the flow and think like a local when they visit the city this holiday season with 5 water saving tips for guests:
- Take only a 2-minute shower
- Collect shower and basin water in the buckets provided and re-use it
- Flush only when you must
- Use a cup instead of running taps for shaving, drinking and brushing your teeth
- Use your towels often
Behind the Scenes
All of CapeNature’s reserves are equipped with the latest water-saving and eco-friendly practices and devices from the word ‘go’. These include solar power, rainwater harvesting, low flow showers, eco/waterless-toilets and encouraging guests to manage water in a responsible manner.
Airbnb has been meeting with its members to discuss and implement environmental best practices since its inception. Most of Airbnb’s top establishments have already been provided with the new shower-heads.
The Western Cape Government is actively educating visitors to the province on water-saving measures via print media, radio and television. Bottles of waterless hand sanitizes are being distributed to travellers en route to the Western Cape along the N1, N2 and N7.
Mother Nature has come to the party with higher than average rainfall during November, but it’s a case of too little too late. In spite of this, every effort counts and guests are urged to support the conservation effort by following the water-wise tips while still enjoying all that Cape Town has to offer.
Don’t let a water shortage make you miss out on the chance to experience the wonders of Cape Town on your southern African safari. Get in touch with us if you have any concerns.
