Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply to become a member?
Complete the linked Membership Application. Within 7 days, a representative of Visit Stellenbosch will be in touch to discuss your membership application.
Who can become a member of Visit Stellenbosch?
Any tourism-focussed business, organisation, experience or service, NPO, community initiative or a non-tourism corporate or business that falls within the official geographic demarcation of Wine of Origin Stellenbosch, with defined exceptions in the Helderberg sub-route, can apply to become a member.
Tourism-focussed businesses, organisations, experiences or services, NPOs, community initiatives or non-tourism corporates or businesses in the Helderberg sub-route region, situated south of Winery Rd, which are not qualifying members of Stellenbosch Wine Route, can apply for a premium membership package and will be featured in “Beyond Stellenbosch”*.
*“Beyond Stellenbosch” members will benefit from exposure on the marketing and communication platforms of Visit Stellenbosch that encourage visitors to stay in Stellenbosch for longer and explore the surrounding areas. “Beyond Stellenbosch” members will receive marketing exposure in a specific designated “Beyond Stellenbosch” section. An example of this would be the inclusion of an experience outside of Stellenbosch in a profiled 5-day itinerary.
Admission to membership is at the sole discretion of the board of directors of Visit Stellenbosch.
What will membership contributions be used for?
All membership contributions will be used to supplement municipal funding made available from time to time to promote and implement our strategic objectives. This includes operational expenses, visitor support services and destination marketing which forms the heart of our commercially-minded tourism delivery agency. Additional funding received from for example Stellenbosch Wine Routes (“SWR”), for wine-related events and other tourism initiatives, will be solely used for those purposes and will be managed as a projects within the broader organisation, to be governed by a Service Level Agreements between Visit Stellenbosch and SWR for any such specific purposes.
I already contribute to SWR – must I also pay Visit Stellenbosch?
Qualifying members who contribute towards Stellenbosch Wine Routes (SWR) through their levy models will not have to pay Visit Stellenbosch directly for Plan Membership. SWR members are by default members of Visit Stellenbosch.
I already contribute to SPM – must I also pay Visit Stellenbosch?
Qualifying members who contribute towards Stellenbosch Publicity and Marketing (SPM) through their levy models will not have to pay Visit Stellenbosch directly for Plan Membership. SPM members are by default members of Visit Stellenbosch.
I think the monthly membership contribution is high?
The Board consulted various members to develop an inclusive membership model that is fair towards all tourism role-players. The three tourism membership plans are also easy to manage and administrate, and will help to make the organisation sustainable and fit for purpose. Furthermore, we have compared the membership fees to some of our main destination competitors and we believe that it is market-related, and in many cases more affordable than similar services offered in the region.
How can I pay my membership contribution?
Members who pay their full annual membership in advance will receive a 10% upfront discount. If you prefer to pay monthly, this can be arranged via debit order.
I am a very small business or community project and can’t afford R300 per month?
Qualifying for good projects, initiatives and businesses that work to enhance the shared experience of Stellenbosch in local tourism product and social economic development can apply for a Community Plan. The fee for this membership plan is only R1000 per year.
How do I cancel my membership?
If you would like to cancel your membership that is paid on a monthly basis, you can cancel with a 30-day notice period. Annual membership fees are not refundable, but you can cancel the listing and profiling of your tourism business with a 30-day notice period.