Discovering Cape Town (from abroad) – Traveling in Times of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Follow Julie, a recent graduate and first-time (virtual) tourist to Cape Town, as she discovers the City from the comfort and restrictions of her home in Oxford in the United Kingdom. Julie is not only a great Africa enthusiast but also passionate about green and responsible tourism and its opportunities in Southern Africa. Having traveled for most of her life, she is now embarking on her most alternative trip so far, as border restrictions continue to limit international travel.
A Virtual Endeavour of Eco-Tourism
If you would have asked me a year ago where I would see myself (and quite frankly the state of our world today), my answer – and probably that of many others – would have been vastly different. At this point last year, I was about to start an MSc in African Studies at the University of Oxford and was hoping to enter the ecotourism branch upon graduating. Only a few months later these dreams and aspirations came tumbling down when the spread of Covid-19 brought travel and tourism to an abrupt halt. But while this pandemic has been shattering for the hospitality industry worldwide, Covid-19 has also created the need to re-approach the tourism industry from a whole new perspective and some of the most creative ideas have sprung from this. It brought the focus to virtual travel as well as back to local tourism. People worldwide are re-discovering their own city, seeing what is right on their doorstep and trying out places they have previously thought overrun by tourists.
Cape Town has been at the absolute top of my list for many years, following the raving revues from tourists and Capetonians, alike. Few places are so rich in heritage and nature like this South African city, making it the perfect destination for responsible and green travel. As it was my plan to visit the City before the news of Covid-19, I decided to not let the current travel restrictions hinder me and discover Cape Town anyways – but from abroad.
Week by week, I will discover different aspects and areas of Cape Town in a virtual way, doing ‘armchair travelling’ as some people call it.
Show me your City!
While I intend to use the wealth of information that the Cape Town Green Map has to offer, I also rely on your help - I would love to hear what you have to say, whether you have any recommendations for a first-time traveller or what you think I’m missing out. I can’t wait to discover this City with you and maybe my enthusiasm might just help you discover a few new "green" spots in your own city.
Get in touch with me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or over our social media channels.
What I love about Eco-Tourism!
Eco-tourism is something that has been hugely important to me over the past few years. On my past travels, I have frequently encountered issues that highlighted the negative impacts of tourism. Harmful versions of voluntourism, poverty tourism or just the simple amount of water and general wastage that is created by hotels can also have a damaging effect on society and environment, but I believe that this can be reduced if we make the necessary resources and information readily available. Most people travel because they love meeting new people and seeing different places – when faced with some of the unintentional consequences caused by this type of tourism they are horrified. That’s why resources like the Cape Town Green Map are so important: to promote responsible tourism that reduces your impact on the environment both possible – and easy. I think being mindful and considerate, as well as the willingness to engage makes the perfect trip.
While this constitutes yet the most experimental form of travel I have undertaken, I’m excited to see what this city has to offer and to enjoy its greenness, culture and history – from afar. And who knows maybe I’ll get to visit in person in the new year?
Until next week,
Julie
Cape Town Green Maps Virtual Intern
