Few industries have been hit as hard by the pandemic as the travel and tourism sector, but fortuitously, it has given a fillip to tea tourism worldwide. Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) says the pandemic turned everyone’s focus to healthier living, which has fuelled a resurgence in tea consumption and exploring the unique regions where tea or tisanes are produced. “Globally, this trend has led to once dilapidated tea planter’s bungalows and houses being restored and turned into boutique hotels and lodges. Here, tea-lovers can enjoy a tranquil stay, away from the city surrounded by nature, while learning more about their favourite brew. “Most of these tea estates are 100+ years old, so staying there and learning about its history, tea culture and heritage is a unique experience in and of itself. When you go on a tea tour, a whole new world starts to unfold. It takes you inside a century-old community that has been farming and processing tea for generations. “From an economic perspective, tea tourism has a great outlook. The market has huge potential, and it’s sustainable and green. “Travellers are starting to swop “sun-and-sand” vacations with new, niche travel experiences that interest them, and beverage tourism, which encompasses tea-, coffee-, wine-, whiskey/whisky- and beer tourism, all fall under the same umbrella,” remarks du Toit. Annually, tourism contributes about R130 billion (3%) to SA’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and provides work for 4.5% of the population. Tourist numbers plummeted by 72.6% from…
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