HALEIWA, Hawaii, USA; BRUSSELS, Belgium; VICTORIA, Seychelles – The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) announced that Knysna Tourism on the Western Cape of South Africa, has joined ICTP as a destination member.
Set between the majestic Outeniqua mountains and the rugged African Southern Cape coastline, and surrounded by forest and nestled on the banks of the lagoon, lies Knysna, a paradise in the heart of the Garden Route. The unique mix of water and forest, drop out and executive, tin shack and state-of-the-art architecture, combines to make Knysna a fascinating town – one with a romantic history and a bright future.
ICTP Chairman Juergen T. Steinmetz said: “The town of Knysna is one of the Garden Routeˊs best known travel destinations and was recently named as one of the Top 100 Destinations in the World. It was also named one of the Top 25 in Africa in the Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Destinations Awards.”
Surrounding Knysna are the towns of Sedgefield, Brenton, Noetzie, Rheenendal and Buffalo Bay. Indigenous forests, fynbos, lakes, rivers, mountains, and beautiful coastlines combined with a moderate climate, make the Knysna area a natural Eden for flora and fauna lovers.
Knysna is known for its many beautiful nature reserves. The Featherbed Nature Reserve, situated on the Western Head in Knysna, is the premier eco-experience on the Garden Route. Goukamma Nature Reserve is situated along the scenic Garden Route on the Cape south coast. The nature reserve comprises an area of about 2,500 hectares, with a coastline of 14 kilometers, and is adjacent to a marine protected area that extends seawards for 1.8 kilometers. Steenbok Nature Park and Kingfisher Creek lie on the northern shores of Leisure Isle in the beautiful town of Knysna. These small but precious areas of water-edged nature have a wealth of flora and fauna, and an abundance of tranquility. Pledge Nature Reserve was declared a Local Nature Reserve and covers approximately 10 hectares. And along the South Coast of South Africa lies one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline in the world, home to the Garden Route National Park.
Road access to Knysna is easily accessed, as it lies on the N2 between Cape Town (500 kilometers) and Port Elizabeth (280 kilometers). Knysnaˋs biggest neighboring towns are George (60 kilometers) and Plettenberg Bay (35 kilometers). George Airport is a mere 65 kilometers away and provides a variety of daily flight options.
For more information, go to http://www.visitknysna.co.za/ .
ABOUT ICTP
The International Council of Tourism Partners (ICTP) is a grassroots travel and tourism coalition of global destinations committed to quality service and green growth. The ICTP logo represents the strength in collaboration (the block) of many small communities (the lines) committed to sustainable oceans (blue) and land (green). ICTP engages communities and their stakeholders to share quality and green opportunities including tools and resources, access to funding, education, and marketing support. ICTP advocates sustainable aviation growth, streamlined travel formalities, and fair coherent taxation. ICTP supports the UN Millennium Development Goals, the UN World Tourism Organization’s Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, and a range of programs that underpin them. The ICTP alliance is represented in Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA; Brussels, Belgium; Bali, Indonesia; and Victoria, Seychelles.
ICTP has members in Anguilla; Aruba; Bangladesh; Belgium, Belize; Brazil; Canada; Caribbean; China; Croatia; Germany; Ghana; Greece; Grenada; India; Indonesia; Iran; Korea (South); La Reunion (French Indian Ocean); Malaysia; Malawi; Mauritius; Mexico; Morocco; Nicaragua; Nigeria; Northern Mariana Islands (USA Pacific Island Territory); Sultanate of Oman; Pakistan; Palestine; Philippines; Rwanda; Seychelles; Sierra Leone; South Africa; Sri Lanka; Sudan; Tajikistan; Tanzania; Trinidad & Tobago; Yemen; Zambia; Zimbabwe; and from the US: Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Utah, Virginia, and Washington.
Partner associations include: African Bureau of Conventions; African Chamber of Commerce Dallas/Fort Worth; Africa Travel Association; Boutique & Lifestyle Lodging Association; Caribbean Tourism Organization; Countrystyle Community Tourism Network/Villages as Businesses; Cultural and Environment Conservation Society; DC-Cam (Cambodia); Euro Congres; Hawaii Tourism Association; International Delphic Council (IDC); International Foundation for Aviation and Development, Montreal, Canada; International Institute for Peace Through Tourism (IIPT); International Organization of Electronic Tourism Industry (IOETI), Italy; Positive Impact Events, Manchester, UK; RETOSA: Angola – Botswana – DR Congo – Lesotho – Madagascar – Malawi – Mauritius – Mozambique – Namibia – South Africa – Swaziland – Tanzania – Zambia- Zimbabwe; Routes, SKAL International; Society for Accessible Travel & Hospitality (SATH); Sustainable Travel International (STI); The Region Initiative, Pakistan; The Travel Partnership Corporation; vzw Reis-en Opleidingscentrum, Gent, Belgium; WATA World Association of Travel Agencies, Switzerland; as well as university and educational institute partners.
For more information, go to: www.tourismpartners.org .
