CEO supports tourism development revival

NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) CEO Mandlakazi Skefile welcomed a recent announcement by the municipality’s acting director of economic development Anele Qaba to revive development of the city’s tourism drawcards that include the iconic Bayworld Museum and Apple Express single-gauge train.

Fortunately, Qaba comes with a strong understanding of the tourism industry having cut his teeth as a public sector employee at the then Eastern Cape Tourism Board.

“Among the projects Mr Qaba has said publicly he plans to revive in Nelson Mandela Bay are the development of Bayworld Museum, calling for proposals for the running of the Apple Express, building of the Nelson Mandela Freedom Statue, Njoli Square development in New Brighton, city and gateways beautification, Van Der Kemp’s Kloof picnic area and a Xhosa cultural village in Motherwell. Can you image what this would do for our tourism offering to both the domestic and international markets if these developments were realised?” Skefile said.

In a recent media report, Qaba also highlighted as part of his revival focus, the Waterfront development, North End beach restoration, the Mandela Bay Stadium precinct and the development of a large intercontinental convention centre (ICC) at the former rugby stadium in Humewood.

“Visitors need to be active and kept busy at all times, otherwise they don’t come back or recommend us to family and friends. One can never take away from us our beaches and the fact that we are surrounded by the countries’ best game reserves, but it’s a competitive market out there and as a city destination our offering to tourists needs to be plentiful, diverse and attractive. What is also important to note, is that the developments identified by Mr Qaba are in line with our city’s brand as a family and affordable destination,” Skefile added.

Apart from the leisure aspect of tourism, Skefile said it was also important to take cognisance that Mr Qaba has highlighted developments like the ICC.

“This endorses NMBT’s strategy that as a tourism destination we cannot only look at leisure and recreation. To sustain and grow the tourism industry we also need to consider conference and business tourism.

“NMBT supports Mr Qaba’s bold stand. It shows that tourism certainly is everyone’s business and is not being left to private sector and marketing endeavours alone. When it comes to development, the municipality is aware of its role. It now needs to forge the necessary partnerships and ensure that all the strategies and plans in place are implemented,” said Skefile.

According to reports the projects highlighted by Qaba already have the backing of council, but were put on ice due to administration and financial challenges faced by the municipality in 2009 and 2010.

Qaba reported that he would lobby for funds from national and provincial government and the National Lottery Fund for the further development and revival of the project he had identified.

Referring to the city’s recent event blunder, like the Splash Festival, Qaba reportedly said that bad events would be a thing of the past. He has also cited growing the Eastern Cape horse-racing derby to the level of the Durban July and relocating a Premier Soccer League to Nelson Mandela Bay.