Big Tree project to boost tourism

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - One of the gems of the Garden Route and a major tourist attraction in the Tsitsikamma area, the Garden Route National Park's Big Tree, was relaunched by Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane last week following a closure of almost three years.

The opening of the tourist attraction to the public formed part of Kubayi-Ngubane's tourism revival campaign whereby she visited tourist attractions across the country as part of national Tourism Month in September.

This year's theme is Tourism and Rural Development.

The Department of Tourism spent R17-million on upgrading the facilities around the 1 000-year-old Outeniqua yellow-wood tree, which is 40m high and has a diameter of 9m. The project included the addition of bulk services like water and electricity to the area as well as a coffee and curio shop to add to visitors' experience. The area had been closed for an extended period due to inaccessibility as a result of roadworks in the area.

The department's Dr Thabo Manetsi said at the event that before the department stepped in, the "rudimentary structures" at the Big Tree were not suitable for visitors and that the upgrade of the facilities formed part of the department's strategy of creating global products which would enhance visitor experience and boost tourism.

Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane reopen the Big Tree facility in the Tsitsikamma section of the Garden Route National Park.

Manetsi added that while the Covid-19 pandemic had a devastating effect on tourism, it gave the department time to prepare for a recovery plan - including projects like the Big Tree.

He further said that while the funds were made available by the department, SANParks provided the land and became the implementers of the project.

Garden Route National Park general manager Vuyiswa Thabethe said at the launch that it was unbelievable that a seed the size of a 50c coin could grow to become so massive over the course of a thousand years. Of the money spent on the project, Thabethe said R8-million went towards services like water and electricity. Another R8-million was spent on construction and the rest went towards the Extended Public Works Programme.

The project involved the use of local contractors and locally sourced material, and Kubayi-Ngubane said she believes the tourism industry can play a vital role in the development of rural communities by way of poverty alleviation, employment creation and overall stimulation of economic activities.

"Without tourism, many of these communities have no other form of economic activity that can help them generate income," she said.

She added that under the theme "Tourism and Rural Development" the department would undertake a set of activities to foster tourism awareness in local communities, especially within less-visited rural areas of each province.

The minister and her team also visited a number of other tourist attractions including the Face Adrenalin Bloukrans Bungee, Birds of Eden, Monkeyland, Jukani and Hog Hollows.

The Tstitsikamma Big Tree tourist attraction boasts a new look.