This was announced during a road show presented to stakeholders on Thursday, April 17.
Although the excitement of Knysna Tourism Board interim chairperson, Greg Vogt, Knysna Tourism marketing manager Johan van Schalkwyk and Sedgefield Tourism manager, Belinda Hobson was abundantly clear, this was soon dampened by residents who were still harbouring grudges from years past. Many complained that they still felt like Knysna's 'poor cousin' and that they would rather run their own tourism marketing.
Vogt explained that the stakeholders' concerns had been acknowledged and noted during several Knysna Tourism Board workshops. He pointed out that the Naturally Knysna signage above the Sedgefield Tourism office had been replaced with the Sedgefield sign and assured those present that the town would soon have new bill boards on either side of the town to welcome visitors.
Van Schalkwyk assured stakeholders that the town would soon have an up-to-date Explore Sedgefield web presence. It is envisaged that the website will be the definitive source of information for Sedgefield, representing all businesses within Sedgefield. According to Vogt, businesses will be provided with the opportunity to manage the content of the website, enabling the site to remain a source of information.
Vogt further explained Knysna Tourism's Festival 365 initiative, which would assist in ensuring that events and festivals provide opportunities that can be developed throughout the year. One example of such an initiative was the Slow Food Route initiative in Sedgefield. Vogt added that he had also started the process necessary to possibly gain Blue Flag status for one of Sedgefield's pristine beaches.
Sedgefield resident and deputy editor of South magazine, Athane Schotz (left) and Belinda Hobson, Sedgefield Tourism manager attended the Sedgefield Tourism roadshow on Thursday, April 17.
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