The aim of the programme is to enhance the visitor's experience to the coast by providing environmental and local cultural information at strategic sites. This will inter alia create opportunities for local craftsman and guides to service visitors’ needs, thereby assisting the community with economic empowerment.
An initial pilot project, run during 2001, focussed on Kleinmond, Hermanus, Buffeljagts, Agulhas and Koppie Alleen in the Overberg coastal region. These sites were designed to be useful for coastal environmental education, and to enhance local and foreign tourists’ experience of the areas.
The programme is now being rolled out nationwide, and consists of two main components. The first is Interpretive Signage, in which 77 boards each convey details and facts on a particular topic or issue of coastal/marine interest. Some of these boards will be site-specific and erected only at the site in question, whereas other boards will be duplicated for erection at a number of different sites. The second component is Informative Signage, which provides information on the various coastal/marine projects and initiatives that DEAT is involved in.
Principal Benefit
- An informed and environmentally literate local community;
- Increased visitor awareness and sensitivity to the coastal area;
- Focal points for school-based coastal environmental education activities;
- Coastal teaching and visitor resource documents produced; and
- Economic development in the realm of crafts and tourism for local coastal communities.
Principal Partners
- Directorate: Integrated Coastal Management, Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT)
- The Signage Consortium
- Relevant statutory, provincial and local authorities in coastal areas
Duration
Start: First quarter 2003
End: First quarter 2005
Funding
R4 915 050 from the Directorate: Integrated Coastal Management, DEAT.
Sustainability
Signage nodes will aim to provide enhanced numbers of visitors to sustain local businesses. Sponsors will have to be approached to provide additional funding.
Expanded Project Detail
Evaluation of the lessons learned from the pilot phase has helped in guiding the expansion of the programme. The sites chosen have strong educational and visitor potential. The creation of ‘visitor access opportunities’ for local crafters and guides has remained an important aspect of this project. The promotion of responsible coastal recreation has been enhanced, and increased ownership of coastal processes by local communities will take place by them being more informed about the coastal ecology.
A national network of interpreted coastal sites is envisaged which will stimulate visitor frequency to these areas and bring material and educational benefits to the communities situated there. |
