On 14 September, the Eastern Cape’s photographic exhibition, featuring some of South Africa’s most spectacular natural beauty, goes on view in Glasgow and London.

The exhibition follows a successful four year run across Europe in countries such as Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, France and Germany.

The photographic exhibition, featuring 40 locations throughout the province, runs until February 2012 in Scotland’s largest city of Glasgow and United Kingdom’s capital city London.

The exhibition’s arrival in the two cities follows a successful run in Bristol where Jesse Stone, coordinator for this leg, explained that “the exhibition had gone really with about 5, 000 postcards going each day. Everyone who has spoken to me has really enjoyed it and some even seemed keen to visit the Eastern Cape because of it.” 

“The United Kingdom leg of the exhibition’s globetrotting journey is part of the Eastern Cape Development Corporation’s plan to promote the province as a tourist and business destination,” says ECDC sector manager: special projects Pierre Leppan.

Trade remains a feature of the relationship between the United Kingdom and South Africa with it likely to more than double from its current R60 billion after a recent visit by its political head.

But it’s not only the trading links which are strong. The history between the two countries is centuries long. Close to two hundred years ago, the 1820 British settlers in Port Elizabeth, also in the Eastern Cape, arrived in the province. In the case of the Royal Glasgow Bible College, its missionaries began Lovedale College and Healdton School in Alice. The latter two institutions later went on to educate thought leaders who lead the struggle against colonialism in Africa and against apartheid in the South African context.

Although tourist trade between the two countries remains strong, there is room for growth.

“EC From Above (ECFA) dispels myths and distorted perceptions of the Eastern Cape province as a destination exclusively suited for travelers with an appetite for adventure. It shows the full spectrum of what the province has to offer,” Leppan says.

ECFA gives viewers a sneak peek into some of Eastern Cape’s iconic tourism features such as the Hole-In-the-Wall in the Wild Coast.

The province is renowned for its contrast presented by the Wild Coast, an adventurer’s paradise and game reserves such as Addo Elephant Park which hosts the big seven (lion, rhino, buffalo, leopard, elephant, southern right whale and great white shark) versus more cosmopolitan offerings of Blue Flag beaches and the night life in Port Elizabeth, East London and St. Francis Bay.

From a tourism perspective, the Eastern Cape accommodates all, with varied options suited for the adventure and lifestyle taste as well as business.

In Glasgow, visitors can enjoy the exhibition at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.  In London, the replica of the exhibition can be found at Gabriel’s Warf at the Riverside Walkway in the southern section of Thames River.

More details on the locations featured in the exhibition can be found at www.ecdc.co.za (quick link bit.ly/nLoKJ0) or Facebook (Eastern Cape from Above).