While South Africa celebrates Pride Month in October, due to the fact that the first South African Pride parade happened in October 1990, June is International Pride Month.
Cape Town is a cosmopolitan city with residents from all around the world, so during this International Month of Pride, we would like to share our support for our LGBQT+ community and our commitment continue making Cape Town an inclusive space for both locals and visitors to enjoy.
As John Tanzella, CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, so eloquently says, “Pride Month is the perfect time to remember that hospitality means providing guests with a friendly, generous reception, so it should never matter whom they love or how they identify. LGBTQ+ travellers are among the world’s most resilient and loyal, as reinforced by IGLTA’s recent Post Covid-19 Travel Survey, and making them feel genuinely welcome can only improve the global tourism landscape.”
With that in mind, we’d also like to take the opportunity to showcase the wonderful and diverse parts of our city, and give the events and businesses that are firmly planting their rainbow flags in the sand a chance to voice their support.
The Liz McGrath Collection
The Liz McGrath Collection consists of three iconic 5-star hotels: The Cellars-Hohenort in Cape Town, The Marine in Hermanus, and The Plettenberg in Plettenberg Bay.
Jacqui Elliott, CEO of the Liz McGrath Collection, is unequivocal about their support for the LGBTQ+ community; “Cape Town is the most LGBTQ+ welcoming city on the African continent, and we need to amplify that message, not only for Pride Month, but year-round. When the hospitality community unites to embrace the diversity of the global travel community, our industry thrives. Let’s show the world that everyone can feel free to be themselves in Cape Town. The Liz Mcgrath Collection celebrates diversity and inclusion within our valued staff and guests. We are dedicated to helping LGBTQ+ travellers feel welcome and create inspiring and enriching travel experiences.”
Aquila Private Game Reserve
Aquila Private Game Reserve is an essential spot to visit when coming to Cape Town, offering Big 5 game safaris close to the city.
Aquila had this to say about their support for the LGBTQ+ community; “There is something about travel, vacations and city escapes that allows us to nourish our souls with rich and colourful experiences. Where we learn about ourselves and the diverse cultures of the people around us.
If you have been dreaming of visiting Cape Town – we can’t wait for you to experience our beautiful slice of paradise. The mother city is easy-going, friendly and accepting and the Aquila Collection is proud to fly the rainbow flag.
We’ll welcome you to a comfortable, vibrant and memorable Big 5 safari experience, designed with luxury Karoo bliss in mind and enriching outdoor experiences at heart. Our embracing hospitality will allow you to feel the gentle Karoo breeze as you sip on exquisite sparkling wine, take a ride on the wild side on a sunset safari, take in the endless plains on a horseback or restore your mind and body at the luxurious spa.
This International #PrideMonth, and every other day of the year – we look forward to sharing all of this and more with you.
While we are currently closed to leisure tourism under the South African lockdown regulations, we cannot wait for a post-COVID19 time where we will be able to invite guests from across the globe to experience real Africa, real close to Cape Town.”
The Radisson Hotel Group
The Radisson Hotels in Cape Town offer unique experiences in the heart of the city. William McIntyre, Regional Director, Africa, Radisson Hotel Group has this to say in support of International Pride Month; “One of our core company values is that we are Many Minds with One Mindset. Today, this could not be more true.
This is a statement we carefully chose when reviewing our company values, showing respect for individual differences, life experiences and diverse world views, and the need for us to work together with the same goal in mind: creating memorable moments for all our guests. To make that happen, we have always and continue to dedicate time and effort to building a diverse team that reflects the communities where we work and live, and the diversity of guests we serve all over the world.
We firmly believe everyone should be valued and respected for who they are. Our company is driven by the many voices of people with different backgrounds, cultures, personalities and points of view. Across all our hotels worldwide, we strive to create a place where everyone can express their authentic selves and this goes for our guests too. We welcome the LGBTQI+ communities with open arms at every one of our hotels as we believe the world is also many minds, with one mindset”.
