The role of wine tourism in the marketing of wineries in the Stellenbosch wine route of South Africa

Abstract

Commercial reality demands that the South African wine industry convert from its current production orientation to a marketing orientation, by drawing on all new and existing marketing channels in order to ensure its continued success. International research has shown that wine tourism can add value to and benefit a winery as a direct marketing channel. This study investigated the role that wine tourism currently plays within the marketing strategies of wineries in the Stellenbosch Wine Route of South Africa. Findings of the exploratory research indicated that many wineries do not comprehend the positive influence of wine tourism and view it as a secondary marketing activity. It is concluded that South African wine marketers could profit from utilising wine tourism as an integral part of their marketing strategy in order to maintain and increase their share of the alcoholic beverage market.