Makana Edutourism creates opportunities for guests to travel and engage in a meaningful learning experience directly linked to the destination.
Makana Edutourism creates opportunities for guests to travel and engage in a meaningful learning experience directly linked to the destination.
“The learning will not always be a formal classroom occurrence but communities can informally learn from each other,” said Director Margaret Wolff.
Since April, they have opened an office and coffee shop at the 1820 Settlers Monument. Makana Edutourism resulted from a partnership between the Grahamstown Foundation, Makana Municipality and Makana Tourism aiming to promote Grahamstown and the broader region nationally and internationally.
It aims to encourage people who visit Grahamstown for business, festivals, graduation and other reasons to stay longer and learn more about the town and its surroundings.
Edutourists can participate in activities such as sky-diving, conferences, mosaic classes and festivals as some of the significant learning experiences.
“If people learned more about the town, they will inform their families and friends, and then encourage more guests to visit Grahamstown,” said Wolff.
She indicated that these people will spend their money in the community, increasing the town’s revenue. The Fynbos Coffee Shop is open on weekdays and has a beautiful view of the town.
“Edutourists can relax in the coffee shop and also get an opportunity to learn about the town,” said Wolff, pointing to a brochure stand which provides information on learning and leisure activities in Grahamstown.
“This will increase the town’s revenue and will benefit everyone including community members and the guests,” Wolff said.
She added that even students who study here for years often only know the campus and main streets. Wolff says they are also keen to promote local arts and crafts.
“We are planning to display products that are made in Grahamstown, for example the Egazini project, in our office and Fynbos coffee shop,” she said.
Wolff said Makana Edutourism was part of the delegation that represented the Eastern Cape at the Tourism Indaba in Durban. “It was an edutour experience for me and I learned a lot from other people,” said Wolff.
