Comments on: Municipalities/areas are NOT attractions or destinations!

By: Where municipalities get it so badly wrong | Travels with Beezus

Where municipalities get it so badly wrong | Travels with Beezus — Tue, 05 May 2015 18:52:04 +0000

[...] ← Municipalities/areas are NOT attractions or destinations! [...]

By: Pieter Cronjé

Pieter Cronjé — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 08:54:37 +0000

This is simply a reality of branding. It takes a long time, a great deal of money and consistent, positive interaction to be a successful and recognisable destination. A new name starts this whole process from scratch.

By: Elizma

Elizma — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 08:43:05 +0000

Also agree fully with the blogpost. From a consumer/tourist perspective it is REALLY confusing. We are privileged to have a brand such as RWV in our area that was adopted by locals, businesses and tourists alike as a destination/home, even though the physical, privately funded organisation has goals of its own. It is still beneficial to all if everyone promotes it as a positive. In addition to this, I also agree with P-J that our area is not just about the wine, which is why we try to put more focus on the lifestyle and not just the product.
Route 62 is a very recognised brand, especially internationally, but my biggest wish will be that one organisation would take ownership of it and protect it, as well as drive it. Why? And here I can include RWV as a working example: it should be clear (or at least easy to find the info) where the destination is, which towns are included, activities & attractions, etc.

By: P-J

P-J — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:16:07 +0000

Agreed – RWV have a number of attractions, especially the best wine experience on offer in South Africa. BUT – marketing the area as Robertson Wine Valley might give the impression that the area is only about wine, and we all know Route 62 has so much more on offer. These 2 brands – RWV and Route 62, are both very strong – on merit, and should not be competing with one another, but should compliment each other – as it does.

By: admin

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:06:43 +0000

I don’t think Langeberg is a destination brand at all. Robertson Wine Valley is the destination with a number of attractions…

By: P-J Basson

P-J Basson — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 07:02:20 +0000

I would have to say Route 62.

Robertson Wine Valley is most probably the strongest attraction in our area, and one of my top reasons to visit Montagu. RWV is part of Route 62, like Montagu. Route 62 should be used as the “umbrella” marketing angle. Even something like “Langeberg, heart of Route 62″ might make sense.

Regards,

P-J

By: admin

admin — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:41:57 +0000

PJ, which do you think is the strongest brand in your area – Robertson Wine Valley or Route 62? And which benefits Montagu most?

By: P-J

P-J — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 05:34:40 +0000

Langeberg vs Route 62?!!! I fully agree with you on this. At WTM one of the hosted buyers asked if the Cape Winelands stand is selling municipalities, and had a good chuckle…

By: Robert Hicks

Robert Hicks — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 03:34:17 +0000

I fully agree with this perspective – no visitor gives a damn about the municipality but only the destination!