PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Champagne toasts bubbled at the Beacon Island Resort gazebo on Saturday 8 July as Plett Tourism officially recognised the fact that Plettenberg Bay has become a Whale Heritage Site (WHS), only the seventh such site in the world.

At the closing off of the Plett Ocean Festival, Plett Tourism chairperson Bruce Richardson said Plett Tourism had lived up to its slogan, "Observe, Conserve and Preserve".

The anchor event of the festival was a three-day science symposium that covered a diverse range of marine-themed topics. From marine protected areas and the endangered Knysna seahorse to orcas hunting sharks and camera-carrying penguins, the topics were entertaining, informative and varied.

Rob Smith, a retired diplomat and the driving force behind the local WHS initiative, via the World Cetacean Alliance (WCA), said the recognition puts Plett on the world tourism map. "This certainly is a boost for ocean tourism and will encourage discerning travellers and tourists to come to Plett."

Smith, who was chairperson of the Plett Tourism committee that interacted with WCA, added that Plett will certainly benefit economically, as ocean tourism has been recognised as the next big industry throughout the world. He confirmed that the WCA has now published Plett's profile as a Whale Heritage Site on its website.

"This is a significant milestone as we assume our place as the seventh Whale Heritage Site in the world," he said.

Richardson said that Smith asked at the conclusion of last year's event, "What do you think about getting Plett declared a Whale Heritage Site and would I have the backing of Plett Tourism if I were to embark on such a project?".

"The rest, as they say, is history and I would like to particularly thank Rob and those with whom he worked for all the work that was put into that initiative, which has contributed significantly to the enhancement of our tourism offerings," said Richardson.

Richardson said Plett is blessed to lie in the heart of the Garden Route National Park, bordered on each side by marine protected areas (Robberg and Tsitsikamma) - that are arguably within the most beautiful area in South Africa, which is unquestionably one of the most beautiful and scenically diverse countries in the world.

"I have visited many countries and have yet to find one that is more beautiful."

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