The Knysna Tourism Board has been working very closely with the staff to ensure that the mandate of the organisation is adhered to. "We are very proud of and grateful to all the staff members," said chairman of the board Greg Vogt. "They display a level of commitment which, coupled with their talents and capabilities, ensures that the office is run in an efficient and effective manner."
Knysna Tourism Office Manager and Development Manager Glendyrr Fick said that various committees exist to advise and assist the staff on certain aspects of running the organisation. "These committees consist of Knysna Tourism Management, members of the board and, in certain instances, consultants who are experts in their specific fields. And we are all working together very well."
"As chairman of the board I serve on all committees," Vogt continued. "The first of which is the Executive Committee, along with fellow board members Nan Raturat and Esmé Edge."
"Glendyrr, Finance Manager Randi-Lue Pluim and E-Marketing Manager Charmaine Goddard serve on the Finance Committee alongside auditor Basil Michaelides, accountant Ruth Casti, Knysna Municipality Director: Finance Grant Easton and I."
"Sedgefield Tourism Manager Rose Bilbrough, Glendyrr, Charmaine and I also serve on the Marketing Committee with board members Christine Collins and Dianne Pepler," said Vogt "And Glendyrr also joins me and councillor Stephen De Vries on the Development Committee."
"Finally the Membership and Communication Committee consists of me, Nan, Membership Administration Janine Arendse and Membership Consultant Keagan Borchards," Vogt explained. This committee liaises with our public relations consultant and we are looking at co-opting another specialist in the field onto this committee."
"Aside from the staff members who receive their monthly remuneration, no committee member is paid to serve as such or derives any benefit other than doing his or her part in making sure that Knysna continues to be known as the jewel on the Garden Route."
Fick assured members of the organisation that their interests were being looked after. "We are all very passionate about Knysna and our very important tourism industry. And, with the support of the board, we remain hard at work positioning Knysna as the travel destination of choice."
"We all know that Knysna is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, that our area offers the best in adventure, sport, leisure and corporate travel," Vogt concluded. "And the very capable staff at Knysna Tourism, assisted by these committees, is taking great strides in ensuring that the rest of South Africa – and the world – not only realise this too, but comes to Knysna to experience it for themselves."
Some of the members of Team Knysna Tourism are (seated from left): board members Christine Collins, Richard Dawson, Nan Raturat, Greg Vogt (chairman), Dianne Pepler, Esmé Edge and Lauren Waring. Standing from left are Knysna Tourism staff members Charmaine Goddard, David Payle, Glendyrr Fick, Ebrahim Windwaai and Janine Arendse.
