2010 tourists will get the chance to experience a different side of Cape Town when they visit the first ever backpackers on the Cape Flats. The Blue Flag Backpackers was opened yesterday by partners Hylton Mitchell and Jerome Hofmeester, two locals who run a tour company.

“We always have such a good time on the Cape Flats, we wanted to share it with tourists and other visitors,” said Mitchell.

Hofmeester inherited a house from his grandmother, who was forced to relocate to Steenberg in the apartheid era. They decided to turn the house into a small backpackers hostel accommodating twelve visitors at a time, to give visitors a chance to experience home-grown Cape Flat’s hospitality.

The opening ceremony was attended by Cape Town Executive Mayor Dan Plato, and according to Mitchell it was the mayor’s first visit to Steenberg.

Mitchell said they had worked hard to get the establishment ready in time for the World Cup, as they believe small and medium-sized business entrepreneurs are vital to unlocking the potential of the event and beyond. 

“While larger commercial guest accommodation establishments, like hotels, are the conventional way for tourists to stay in Cape Town, smaller establishments in residential areas are gaining ground in becoming an alternative guest accommodation venue to lure tourists,” said Mitchell.

The businessmen want to improve their community and have the community involved in the project. This will be done through relationships with different people in their area who can contribute to the running of the establishment. “The auntie across the street is going to make curry for us, another auntie down the street will wash the sheets,” said Mitchell.

They have trained another local to be the driver of their tour bus, and are encouraging youths from the area interested in tourism to do internships at their establishment.

Mitchell said they also have relationships with locals involved in art and crafts, and take tourists to local shebeens and eateries. As part of an anti-apartheid tour, they look at Steenberg’s contribution and organise interviews with locals involved in the struggle.

In addition to the tours and backpacker venture, they have a social responsibility programme where they encourage visitors to volunteer at a number of NGO’s working in the Steenberg, Retreat and Lavender Hill areas.

This includes options like teaching sport to youths in the area, being involved in environmental projects ranging from recycling to food gardens, working on social development by volunteering at feeding schemes or building homes, or volunteering on animal welfare projects.

Mitchell said the response to this venture has been overwhelming. A group of students and teachers from England have already booked all the accommodation for the first week of the World Cup. 

The Blue Flag Backpackers is a member of the South African Youth Travel Association and they are awaiting accreditation from Cape Town Tourism.

Source: South Africa Travel - www.southafrica-travel.net

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