South Africa is a premier destination for backpackers worldwide. South Africa accommodates an enormous variety of backpacking tastes, from the extreme adventurer to the gourmet – all at a price that will suit any pocket.
Check out our site to find backpacker accommodation, tours, transport and things to do. Search the site for what you need. You will be able to contact the product owner directly with any enquiries.
This is your on-line resource for the best in accommodation, tours, transport and general information on Backpacking in South Africa. We hope to welcome you to our country soon so that you can experience first-hand all the wonderful things that truly makes South Africa the rainbow nation and a world in one country!
All listings are members of The Backpacking Tourism South Africa Trust which aims to promote South Africa as a premier backpacking destination. We were formed 6 years ago and have since been liaising closely with the government and other tourism bodies so that we can offer you – the tourist- the best experience possible.
THE BACKPACKER TOURISM SOUTH AFRICA TRUST (BTSA)
a) Introduction
BTSA was founded by Dale Knowles-Gaylard in September 1998. The first Trustees were : Dale Knowles-Gaylard, Robin Thomson, Tammy Yeoman, Axel Zander, Lisa Mason, Candice Petersen, Cany Bugler, Anton Gaylard and Di Thomas. Of these, only Lisa Mason, Di Thomas, Robin Thomson and Axel Zander are still involved in the backpacking industry. However the successive trustees have added more experience and the Trust is in capable hands to this day.
The reason for establishing BTSA was born out of the need to contribute to the success of South Africa as an emerging economy. The aim to bring more foreign visitors into the country was the paramount motivation; 8 foreign tourists = 1 job.
The organisation originally existed as a simple association, but as it gained recognition and respect, it became evident that a more formal structure was required. Thus on the 1st July 1999, a non-profit trust, The Backpacker Tourism South Africa Trust was registered.
b) The Mission Statement
BTSA’s mission is to form a strategic partnership with local, regional and national tourism departments and offices and through collaboration and consultation with these bodies and other members of the Backpacker Tourism industry, develop a National Backpacker Program and Strategy, to be incorporated in, and run parallel to the future development of tourism in South Africa.
c) The Objectives
THE OBJECTS “GOVERNING” THE BTSA TRUST:
i) TO MARKET SOUTH AFRICA GLOBALLY AS A PREFERRED BACKPACKER DESTINATION, BY OFFERING DISTINCTIVE, WORLD-CLASS BACKPACKER EXPERIENCES WITHIN A UNIQUE ENVIRONMENT.
ii) TO WORK TOWARDS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROFESSIONAL BACKPACKER TOURISM INDUSTRY BASED UPON ACCREDITATION AND GUIDELINES.
iii) TO DEVELOP SOUTH AFRICA’S DOMESTIC TOURISM MARKET WITHIN THE BACKPACKER TOURISM INDUSTRY.
iv) TO RAISE AWARENESS AND CONSCIOUSNESS IN SOUTH AFRICA AND GLOBALLY OF THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUTH AFRICA AS A BACKPACKER DESTINATION.
v) TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF BACKPACKERS AND THEREBY ELIMINATE THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH BACKPACKERS AS ITINERANT WANDERERS.
vi) TO RAISE FUNDS AND/OR OBTAIN FUNDING TO ACHIEVE THE AFOREMENTIONED OBJECTS.