KNYSNA NEWS - Even after a council decision was made this week that Knysna Municipality will enter into an agreement with Wesgro to manage local tourism, a divide still exists as to whether the move is the best decision for the town – especially when beleaguered councillor Velile Waxa was the only councillor to vote against the decision on Monday 13 August.
Waxa said on Tuesday 14 August that although he knows very well that Knysna cannot survive without tourism, the details of the agreement needed to be made clear.
“Instead of rushing into the agreement and being pushed into a decision, councillors should have workshopped it. This always happens when it comes to tourism – we are rushed to sign and when a mistake is made it is too late. I believe we as councillors need to fully understand the agreement – including the Grant Thornton report – so we can make an informed decision. But this time the other councillors did not agree,” Waxa said.
'More bang for our buck'
According to Knysna mayor Mark Willemse, council believes the agreement is the right option for Knysna to be able to access Wesgro’s “multiple and far-reaching marketing channels”. He added that with Knysna Municipality and Wesgro combining their marketing efforts and budgets Knysna would get “so much more bang for our buck than when we try to do it on our own”.
Taken into consideration when making the council decision, said Willemse, was the fact that Wesgro indicated that they will consult and include local expertise. “The local tourism industry players know the destination, and they have the background of years of marketing Knysna. It is essential that this knowledge and expertise do not get lost in the process.”
'Key players approve of move'
Willemse said it would be up to acting municipal manager Johnny Douglas to finalise the service level agreement with Wesgro, and that the heavily disputed Section 78 processes (as well as Section 76) – reported on previously by KPH as not having been taken into account – would be undertaken at the same time.
According to a press release from the municipality, certain “key players” in the tourism industry have added their stamp of approval on the proposed agreement.
Among these are Wesgro CEO Tim Harris, Knysna Tourism chair Elmay Bouwer, Knysna Accommodation Association marketing coordinator Colleen Harding, and Clive Battell from Knysna Hollow.
Asked for a timeframe in which the Section 76 and 78 processes will be completed, and whether the tourism office in Knysna’s Main Road will be opened again, no response was received from the municipality at the time of going to print.
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