A new Roblox game has been launched by Wesgro – the official tourism, trade, and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape – to inspire tweens, teens, and their families to explore the Western Cape this winter.
The Starlight Adventures In The Cape Karoo game aims to drive tourism across the region, highlighting lesser-known but exciting family destinations. Wesgro is the first tourism promotion agency in the world to use Roblox in its marketing campaigns.
The game includes a digital clone of Prince Albert, a small town with only 7000 people, that has been transformed into a playable experience. In researching the game, Wesgro consulted with local tour guides and cultural experts. With a map spanning four square kilometres, the game is one of the largest on Roblox. Before we go on, are you sending your child to school soon? Have you compared school fees yet? Then, you might want to balance your expectations with this look at the most expensive schools in SA.
Looking to drive regional spread to the Karoo region this winter season, Wesgro partnered with popular family roadside pit-stop BP, Shell, and Engen to launch the game. Aligning with school holidays, the partnership aims to inspire young road trippers to not only download and play the animated game but visit the real-life town as part of their winter vacation itinerary.
Jean Scheltema, Wesgro’s Chief Marketing and Innovation Officer, said that ‘Starlight Adventures in the Cape Karoo draws on the insight that the youth market has a significant role to play in influencing family holiday decisions and comes off the back of the previously successful ‘Climb Table Mountain in Roblox‘ effort. Through digitising key attractions in the region, we’ve combined edtech and gaming to inform and inspire young minds. A trip to the Karoo is magical and we want young people to experience this at least once in their lives.’
Players compete to win unique user-generated content (UGC) items based on the local heritage and culture of Prince Albert. Additionally, for the first time in a game, the history and culture of the Khoisan people, the world’s oldest tribe, is featured.
‘We are thrilled that the interactive gaming experience of Roblox’s Starlight Adventures in the Cape Karoo helps place our region on the younger visitor’s radar. There is a definite uptake in youngsters loving what the Karoo has to offer – wholesome lifestyle, fascinating history, abundant outdoor adventure, pristine nature – the introduction of a digital Prince Albert experience will elevate this enthusiasm and ultimately lead to more visitors,’ says Inga Terblanche, Chair of Prince Albert Tourism.
The game is available to play now on Roblox, and Wesgro hopes it will encourage players to visit the Western Cape in person and experience its beauty and culture first-hand.
Pictures: Getaway Gallery
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