Port Elizabeth Alicedale and Addo have been identified as the most promising Eastern Cape rail tourism corridors in a study commissioned by the Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC).

The study, commissioned earlier this year, also identifies a further four inter-city rail corridors, naming the East London-Bethulie, Cookhouse-Blaney junction, New Brighton-Vondeling and Amabele-Mthatha branch.

ECDC regional head Ken Bern explains that the intention is a large proportion of half million international visitors are looking for a holiday which offers scenic beauty, excursions offering unique local experiences, high quality scenery as well as authentic or vintage décor. Currently the total value of the international market's spend in 2006 was R4,3 billion, an increase over R3,8 million in 2005.

In addition, the study is also looking to see how it can capture a younger, economy and backpacker segment who favours high speed trainers.

The study points to a growing rail tourism sector and that the province already enjoys success with the Apple Express, the Port Elizabeth narrow gauge vintage train.

The study assessed the province's potential by measuring its technical qualities, rail's operational status and tourism potential. Ten criteria were used in evaluating the tourism potential and included the scenic quality of the corridor, availability of tourist attractions and resources, priority tourism area, access to departure/arrival points, accommodation, connectivity, market presence, market proximity, social capital and environment.

And it was according to these criteria that the three railway lines were considered the most promising.

The report points out that the Port Elizabeth line, which is currently being used to haul timber hauling pulpwood from the Assegaaibosch area to Baakensrivier in Port Elizabeth, it travels to locations which can offer many attractions as well as accommodation in key towns. Furthermore it is supported by motivated and committed local tourism roleplayers and is close to a key source market in Port Elizabeth.

The second line, Addo, operates it as a daily (except for Sundays) as a commuter service from Alicedale to Grahamstown and back. The town is home to the Bushman Sands Hotel and the hoteliers believe it can be used to transfer conference groups to and from the hotel from Port Elizabeth. at Alicedale

In the case of the Addo line, which is used during the fruit season (May to October) when export citrus is hauled from pack houses in the Sundays River Valley to Port Elizabeth's harbour, offers tourist attractions such as the iconic Addo National Park, which is fast becoming a key tourism node on the Eastern Cape, offering the unique Eastern Cape vegetation, wildlife and country lifestyle. Again, the area is easily accessible from Port Elizabeth and hence very suitable for day and weekend trips.

Bern points to other country examples such as the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom and Europe where rail remains a popular means of travel and holidaying with older, wealthier, well-educated, well-travelled, mid to high income tourists.

"Considering the extent of the Eastern Cape's underutilised rail network, the potential exists to develop rail based tourism into a viable industry that could generate much needed employment opportunities in impoverished rural areas. The next move for us is to conduct detailed feasibility studies on the three rail corridors as well as for the four inter-city rail corridors," says Bern.

In developing its recommendations, the study considered local and international case studies.

Bern explains: "Across the board, whether it is the Blue Train, Rovos Rail, trains in Australia, Canada or UK, the number of passengers using rail transport is on the increase. For example, Eurail Group reported a worldwide increase in EurailPasses sales of 24% in 2004 and 18% in 2006.

However, there are challenges which need to be addressed if rail tourism is to be pursued in the province. These include a shortage of locomotives, the uncertain future of state-subsidised rail tourism enterprises and limitations with regard to steam train operations.

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For more information, contact

Ken Bern

ECDC regional head

Telephone 043 704 5600

Cellular 083 451 2289

Email kbern@ecdc.co.za

For ECDC media relations

Antoinette Panton

SMG Africa

Telephone 043 726 8833

Cellular 083 419 8939

Email Antoinette@smgafrica.com