Gallery
KNYSNA NEWS - Word on the street has it that Knysna is quieter during this holiday season compared to previous years.
Despite Knysna Tourism's bullish statistics, some business owners disagree, but the jury is still out since the busiest part of the holiday season really only kicked in from around 16 December.
Click here for a photo gallery.
First on the list of establishments and businesses visited by KPH was the Knysna Waterfront on 14 December, which is usually buzzing around this time of the year, where respondents had the following to say:
Nico van Rooyen, manager at Dry Dock, who has been working at the Waterfront for over 18 years: “The first two weeks in December are usually very quiet and then from the 15th things start picking up – this has become a tradition. It is still very early for us to make the comparisons.”
A security guard at the Waterfront, Reggy Yako, who has been working there for a decade: “Usually around this time tourists can be seen and it is much busier but that is not the case this year. I see mostly locals and it is not busy at all.”
Lumka Ntabakude, who has worked there for 17 years: "In all the years I've been working here it is has never been this quiet. I think it might be because of the fires."
Mario Frezza and Mike Vanas of Caffe Mario: They said they are especially lucky to have the support from locals throughout the year and that they’ve had more tourists during November compared to previous years.
Rachel Harker from Quayside Café Take Aways: “I have been working here for many years and it is definitely quieter this year, I don’t know why that is so.
"Maybe it’s because of the fires and also because petrol is always on the rise or even the weather that is acting up. It can be any of the above.”
Ferry trips remain one of the popular activities along the Waterfront. Here tourists disembark.
Two women from a clothing shop at the Waterfront: Wishing to remain anonymous, they were in consensus when they said, “It is quieter because of the fires.
"We've had tourists in the store who expressed how disappointed they were when they came here because apparently they made reservations way in advance and when they got here, they learnt that some of the places they wanted to see were affected by the fires.
"Plettenberg Bay is busier than us, where we have another store that is buzzing.”
Katy Janklaas from Metallic Mermaid: "We're not busy yet, but things are probably going to start picking up around 19 December.
"We do have tourists walking in and buying items but not as much as they did in previous years."
Stanley Kuvaoga has been selling African Artefacts at the Waterfront for over a decade: "Business is very bad this year and I think the fires badly affected businesses.
"Usually around this time I am much busier. I must say, though, that I had a very busy October and November compared to previous years. Hopefully after the first two weeks of this month, things will pick up again."
Nico van Rooyen, manager at Drydock.
Other areas:
Bobbie Sharp centre manager of Woodmill Lane: "Season doesn’t start for us until 16 December. Our numbers are therefore in line with last year. We’ll know more next week."
Some large retail and grocery stores have also reported a quieter year than last year, but did not wish to be named.
Village Mall pharmacy manager Erna Loots: She said the pharmacy is as busy as ever for this time of the year and that their figures are actually up compared to the same period last year.
"We are run off our feet mainly by visitors and tourists, Germans being the majority, I would say. There is a definite decline in our locals – perhaps they have gone on holiday?"
ARTICLE & PHOTOS: NWABISA PONDOYI, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
