Cape Town - A survey of Cape Town residents by the Cape Argus revealed that the city’s biggest attractions were priced out of their reach. And while most had little hope that the situation could change, a local “tourism activist” believes he might have the answer.
Lino Martin, an anchor on Cape Town TV, has been a vocal supporter of introducing a card that will not only give residents cheaper access to sites such as Robben Island, Cape Point, and Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden, but encourage more locals to experience the city. “We always hear about Cape Town leading in this, that and the other, winning awards for various reasons. But on the attraction front locals are unable to enjoy their own city,” he said.
His plan would allow residents to register for a special card or pass with the local tourism body. It would require a small registration fee to cover administration costs and would be linked to all the attractions and the companies managing them. For example, “citizens should be granted a 25 to 33 percent discount when producing their cards”.
The card would be renewed annually.
The idea has been warmly received by some of the residents interviewed by the Cape Argus. Milnerton mother-of-three Lianne Lippert said: “I definitely feel that if locals were offered a more competitive pricing structure, more Capetonians could enjoy this gorgeous city we live in.”
She said she rarely took her children to visit the big attractions.
If Cape Town was to introduce the card system it would be an unprecedented move. Research into the other cities that populate Condé Nast Traveler’s Top 25 Cities in the World list, which ranks Cape Town fourth, shows that most tourist attractions in cities such as London, Budapest or Florence are unsurprisingly geared towards just that - tourists.
And while these cities offer seasonal rates, giving locals a chance to enjoy a discount during winter, they don’t offer their residents much else. For example, the London Eye, a large Ferris wheel in the heart of the English city, can cost as much as R400 per person, and prices remain consistent throughout the year owing to the huge influx of tourists, even during the off-season.
Cape Town, on the other hand, has already taken steps towards Martin’s card idea with its My Green Card, allowing Cape Town residents to visit local parks at a reduced rate.
Table Mountain’s Aerial Cableway is also cheaper during winter.
Cape Town Tourism chief executive Enver Duminy said the success of My Green Card demonstrated that dual pricing could work. But Tourism MEC Alan Winde has opposed the idea of having separate prices for locals and tourists because visitors may feel “ripped off” having to pay an inflated rate.
Making touring locally accessible
Mayor Patricia de Lille has spearheaded the Inclusive City campaign which is aimed at tackling racism in the city. But residents have argued that the entry price for tourist attractions is turning them into exclusive locations.
Responding to questions about how tourism fitted in with the campaign, spokesperson Zara Nicholson said the city engaged with various entities “to ensure that collectively we do what we can to deliver a great service to residents and visitors and serve the economy”. “However, these are not city entities, and we do not set their tariffs.”
But she added the city could make these attractions as accessible as possible by extending MyCiTi bus routes.
It is something which residents, particularly those in Belhar, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha complained about when speaking to the Cape Argus. They said transport costs would often discourage them from making the trip into the city as taxis could cost as much as R40 for a round trip.
The Inclusive City campaign has launched an investigation into alleged racism at a local top restaurant. De Lille has encouraged Capetonians to speak out about how to make the city more inclusive.
Cheap pass an attraction to see attractions
Populated by ancient buildings such as the Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel, Rome is a city of a thousand attractions.
And the government wants not only foreigners, but locals to experience as many of them as they can. Launched in 2006 by the Rome City Council and the Ministry for the Arts and Cultural Activities and Tourism, in collaboration with the local public transport company, the Roma Pass has opened the ancient city’s doors to visitors.
Priced at around R400, the pass gives free access to two of the city’s famous museums, and discounted entrance to exhibitions. Not only that, but for the three days that pass is valid, all public transport is free.
The motivation behind its introduction was not only to create an affordable option for foreigners on a budget but to also allow locals to experience the city’s sights.
In the US, the Citypass allows travellers to visit sights at some of its biggest cities, including Boston, New York and San Francisco, allowing visitors to save around 50 percent on the door price of museums, theme parks, and other attractions.
Cape Argus