GARDEN ROUTE NEWS - During an oversight visit of the National Parliamentary Portfolio Committee (PC) on Tourism held in Knysna on 2 August, MP National Shadow Minister of Tourism James Vos said the development of the George Airport as an important transport hub is key to any tourism development plans for the Garden Route.
The region could be made more accessible with more flights and packaged holidays. "This will facilitate unrestricted air access into our regions, which will in turn stimulate tourism and economic activity."
Eden to Addo Conference
Executive Mayor of Eden District Municipality Memory Booysen said he is planning tourism workshops as a run-up to a conference due to be held to formulate marketing plans for the Garden Route. The aim is to brand the Garden Route as a multi-cultural destination which encompasses the Point of Human Origins Caves (Pinnacle Point, Mossel Bay), Nelson Cave (Robberg) and Unesco-declared beauty spots. The Addo to Eden route also includes 10 000ha of SANParks nature reserves and blue flag beaches.
Ghost tours
George Tourism head Joan Shaw was unable to attend the Standing Portfolio Committee meeting as she was hosting a visiting group from Tacoma but said, "the Committee will receive the George presentation". The total budget for Marketing and Development Projects and Operations for George Tourism is R1 190 600, compared to R923 800 in the previous financial year, according to Athane Scholtz, George Municipality media liaison officer.
Knysna's tourism budget is R4-million, revealed chairman of the Knysna Tourim Board Elmay Bouwer during the PC visit.
On a previous occasion Shaw said she is working on a skills and tourism product development plan for George. The Pacaltsdorp and Thembalethu information/tourism bureaus are currently closed while a tourism/craft/skills strategy which would benefit local populations and make the tourism industry more inclusive, is being formulated.
Inspired by her visit to the World Trade Market (WTM), she is exploring ideas for various undiscovered markets such as international school tours for scholars from private schools abroad, paranormal or ghost tours and geological/botanical/academic research from various universities.
Exotic crafts
After the meeting, Knysna Mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies said, "We are factoring in climate change in our planning and rebuilding strategies. In my term of office, the town has suffered drought, a flooding and now a fire disaster. We are looking at making attractive crafts/products from alien vegetation and using it as a building material for homes."
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism met with local tourism bodies last week Wednesday, 2 August, in the Knysna Council Chamber. From left: Chairman of Knysna Tourism Board Elmay Bouwer; Bitou tourism portfolio cllr/deputy executive mayor Jessica Kamkam; chairman of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Tourism Beatrice Ngcobo; and Knysna Executive Mayor Eleanore Bouw-Spies.
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