Corks are popping for Plett Tourism

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Estimated at R11,7m, the returns from the Plett Wine and Bubbly Festival held in March-April is the biggest income success for the town, says Plett Tourism CEO Patty Butterworth.

Butterworth unpacked the figures around the PW & Bubbly at the annual general meeting of Plett Toursim held on 31 August, saying the festival, designed to include all agricultural sectors in Plett, showed an 800% return on investment for an actual spend of R1,2m.

A breakdown shows an estimated R3m spent at accommodation establishments, with 50% of visitors from out of town. They contributed to at least 800 bed nights for three nights, according to Butterworth.

Based on "conservative" 2017 figures and an investment of R1,5m, an economic value summary shows R4,1m in media value, R1,5m spent with Plett suppliers, R3m on visitor accommodation, actual spending at the festival R1,9m and an estimated spend in town of R1,2m, totalling R11,7m.

Butterworth says other anchor tourism events are the Plett Arts Festival – now in its ninth year with a return on investment of R686 138 (actual spend R75 000, reflecting a 1 093% return), and the Plett Ocean Festival which focuses on marine life that showed a return of R1 154 348 for media coverage alone.

On a sample of international tourists, close to 70% stayed overnight in Cape Town and over 60% in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.

Butterworth says one of the business plan highlights is to target high-value leisure and events customers, additionally the leisure and adventure tourism travel trade.

Voted Africa's Leading Beach Destination by the World Travel Awards in 2020-2021, and having a steady award of Blue Flags, Plettenberg Bay is a shining example of a town coming together to understand the importance of creating an eco-friendly tourism destination, says Butterworth.

"The iconic Blue Flag is one of the world's most recognised beach, marina and sustainable tourism operator campaigns that recognises the commitment to stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria," she says. "It is such a pleasure to be able to share our most valuable asset with the world."

Plett Tourism CEO Patty Butterworth.
Photo: LinkedIn