KNYSNA NEWS - The Garden Route branch of Skål International, an organisation of travel professionals, was one of the role players in the transformation of a town that went up in flames by kindling a new fire of enthusiasm in the tourism industry, following the worst natural disaster in recent history to be experienced in Knysna.
With funds donated by Skål members from all over the globe, a skills development project was launched that gave new hope to those who had lost their place of employment and or jobs as a result of the June fires.
With the aid of these funds, short courses were offered to 20 workers in the tourism industry, whose establishments were burnt to the ground.
These efforts have come to fruition, with the workers returning to their jobs with new and upgraded skills.
Workers from six establishments including guesthouses and restaurants received training in, among others, basic wine presentation skills from the Francois Ferreira Academy and the Cape Wine Academy.
“Despite his busy training schedule at the academy, Francois was personally involved in the training,” said Skål SA president Niel Els.
A certificate was issued by the said institutions on the successful completion of the course. Follow-up courses are in the planning.
The course was presented at Blackwaters River Lodge on the banks of the Goukamma River, which had also suffered immense damages. “The lodge graciously invited Skål to make use of their restaurant facility, which was spared the flames," said Els.
These candidates from the local tourism industry in Knysna all received certificates after attending a course through the Francois Ferreira Academy and Cape Wine Academy recently. Photo: Supplied
Funding
The training was made possible by voluntary funding received from international Skål clubs in the USA and Mexico, Europe and Finland, Australia, New Zealand, Croatia and Japan.
“Members of these clubs attended the Skål mid-year congress in George in 2016,” said Els, who organised the congress.
“The members visited the establishments of Skål members in Knysna and thus, having become friends, had heartfelt empathy for the people in the local tourism industry with whom they had interacted during their stay," he added.
The personal engagement with local businesses left a lasting impression on the visiting Skål members.
“They will always have an affinity for the owners and workers at these establishments where they enjoyed five-star Garden Route hospitality and services. That is what Skål is about: business among friends.”
According to Els, this is the first initiative in the aftermath of the fires to have a tangible outcome, with upskilled workers returning to their previous jobs.
“The establishments are still in the process of restoring their premises and businesses to their former high standard, but the owners, managers and workers can look forward to bringing improved skills to the refurbished workplaces," he said.
Workers who benefited had only praise for the training they received. “I found the course to be enlightening and exciting and I am very thankful to have been part of it,” said one.
“The course has changed my life. It brought home new ethics in my job and gave me knowledge that I will put to good use in future. I loved it,” said another.
“The manner in which these individuals and the tourism industry in Knysna has bounced back is a wonderful testimony of the resilience of humans and nature. The new growth in nature is beginning to mask the grey devastation of the fire,” said Els.
“Our message to tourists is to come to Knysna and the rest of the Garden Route. This is truly the Garden of Eden rising from the ashes.”
'We bring you the latest Knysna, Garden Route news'
