How do I love Knysna? Let me count the ways...

KNYSNA NEWS - Last week, local tourism entity Visit Knysna announced the winners of its Tourism Month Photo Challenge which ran from 24 to 27 September, with more than 70 entries received.

Visitors and locals were tasked with submitting photos on social media of their various "happy places" around the Greater Knysna area using the hashtags #TourismMonth2020 and #KnysnaTourismMonth.

Due to excellent weather over the September long weekend, the majority of the submissions were pictures taken close to water, with children playing in the lagoons and families enjoying the beach. The most frequented location of all the photo submissions was the beautiful Jubilee Creek in the Goudveld Forest at Rheenendal.

Colleen Durant, general manager of Visit Knysna, said, "We are very excited by the interest to participate in the competition… The photos submitted were a great reflection of our beautiful region and all it has to offer to share with friends, family and even on your own."

On each morning during the campaign, local travel blogger Rose Bilbrough visited some unique places in Greater Knysna from where she recorded live video feeds to the Visit Knysna Facebook page. These posts created awareness of further places to explore in the area while encouraging people to share their photos.

The judging panel included Nicci Rousseau-Schmidt, owner of Knysna PR and project manager for the development of the new Visit Knysna website; local photographer Elle Redman; and Colleen Harding, Knysna Accommodation Association marketing coordinator and representative on the Visit Knysna steering committee.

Each judge was asked to rate the photos on a scorecard and from there the top photos were selected. These were then divided according to Knysna's four niche categories, and an overall grand-prize winner was chosen.

Knysna Mayor Elrick van Aswegen thanked all the participants and said, "To our locals who always rise to the occasion - nothing ever seems to phase them and any request and invitation is always met with a 'yes'."

Emma Rorke also captured a stunning sunrise over Myoli Beach near the Swartvlei river mouth.The overall winner was Sedgefield resident Emma Rorke, who won a weekend getaway in the Greater Knysna area, including activity vouchers. "I'm so chuffed that I was lucky enough to be the winner, everyone who took part had great photos," said Rorke, who can't wait to make use of her prize.

"It will definitely be a welcome relief after the past few months, especially to have a bit of a getaway in Knysna."

There were also four niche winners: Tanja Bantjes, Halima Chaik, Ruth Hattersley and Vicky Roos, who each received a voucher to experience a unique activity in or crafts from the Greater Knysna area.

To find out more about the wonderful places to see and visit in Greater Knysna, go to www.visitknysna.co.za.

Emma Rorke's snap at Coney Glen Beach looking out onto the Heads.