Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plett Tourism has recorded a successful year, notching up improvements compared with the previous year, Plett Tourism CEO Patty Butterworth reported at the organisation's AGM.

Plett accommodation establishments reported a 60% international booking rate for July 2023-June 2024, up from 45% the previous year.

While slightly down (51%) on the previous year (55%), in the domestic market, Plett accommodation establishments reported a 2.68 average daily length of stay up to June 2024, compared with 2.06 the previous year.

The total membership of 689 (paid and free membership) was up from 635 the previous year.

Benchmark pointers

The two benchmark pointers of the overall performance and health of Plett Tourism are the Beacon Island Resort and CapeNature/Robberg Nature Reserve.

Beacon Island reported a 98% occupancy rate for 2024 (96% the previous year) with 100% occupancy in season.

Robberg Nature Reserve reported 85 000 day visits in 2023-2024, up from 81 835 the previous year.

'Prime' position

Butterworth was upbeat about Plett's "prime" position for future travellers.

She said, according to Allied Market Research (2023), the global adventure tourism market in 2022 was valued at $366.7 billion and is forecast to increase to $4.6 trillion by 2032. 

Butterworth said this was supported by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation's Global Report on Adventure Association Tourism - a sub-sector that attracts high-value tourism consumers and which spills over into local economies.

'Outdoor adventure'

"Plettenberg Bay is ideal for catering to the niche adventure tourism market due to the growing focus on sustainability and the importance of promoting understanding between humans and nature.

"The introduction of urban birding trails, the new eco-camp and the establishment of Green Flag-accredited hiking and mountain biking trails puts the Bitou area on the map for outdoor adventure," said Butterworth.

Plett Tourism chairman Bruce Richardson called for a "considered approach" to the sensitivities affecting Plett tourism, like shark activity and the seal issue.

He said people should be encouraged to be sensitive about posting items about great white sharks and rather put out information through proper channels, like Shark Spotters.

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