18 May 2022
# Rooibos Tea Tourism is helping revitalise the country’s tourism industry after a recent surge in the tea’s popularity. The South African Rooibos Council says more local and international travellers want to learn about the history of Rooibos, how it’s produced from farm to cup and what the different varieties taste like. Rooibos is farmed exclusively in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape. A spokesperson for the council, Adele du Toit, says there’s renewed interest in Rooibos across the globe after it was added to the European Union’s list of products with a protected designation last year. It’s the first food source in Africa to receive this status:
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She says German and Swiss tourists, as well as locals, are flocking to Clanwilliam, known as the Rooibos Capital:
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Du Toit says the town’s Rooibos Route showcases all things Rooibos and the region offers a host of adventurous and unexplored activities:
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She believes the pandemic has also turned everyone’s focus to healthier living creating renewed interest in the health benefits of the tea.
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Du Toit says tea tourism offers a niche travel experience and the market has vast potential.