The annual Franschhoek Oesfees was named runner-up Festival of the Year at the 2nd annual Cape Winelands Mayoral Tourism Awards Gala Dinner on 20 September.
At a glittering event at Kronenburg Wine Estate in Paarl, tribute was paid to the Cape Winelands for their valuable contribution towards helping ensure a vibrant tourism industry in the Western Cape.
In the category – Tourism-related festival of the year – The Franschhoek Oesfees hosted annually by leading wine estate, Solms-Delta, in association with the ATKV, emerged as the runner-up. This award is bestowed upon businesses that run special events, festivals and activities that attract large crowds or people to the Cape Winelands. Nominees must have a proven track record of successful projects and campaigns that result in an increase in revenue and tourist visits to the region.
The Franschhoek Oesfees has, since its inception five years ago, increased in numbers year on year, bringing tourists, both local and international together, to celebrate the end of the harvest with people of the Winelands. The 2012 event was a sold out event with over 5000 people flocking to Solms-Delta to dance with farm workers from throughout the valley under the oaks to the sound of Ghoema, Cape Jazz, Langarm, Vastrap and Boeremusiek while feasting on genuine local ‘Kaapsekos’ and wine.
MEC Mr. Alan Winde, Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, was the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony. He spoke about the importance of tourism to our economy as a whole, as tourism is one sector with huge potential for growth. He emphasized the need to promote domestic tourism to the Winelands, by spending more marketing resources locally.
Solms-Delta GM Cathy Macfarlane and Adriaan Brand, director of the Music van de Caab project producing much of the local musical talent on display at the Oesfees, received the Award on behalf of Solms-Delta. Macfarlane said she was delighted that the hard work and dedication of so many people in staging the successful annual tourism event, had received such acknowledgement.
