Tourism Month an "inspiring success"
05 October 2010
“I must say that stepping into the shoes of CEO on the cusp of Tourism Month did put me in the hotspot a little, but it’s been an inspiring month in which I can see a bright future for tourism in Nelson Mandela Bay,” said Skefile. “The people of the city have really shown that they support tourism and the growth of the industry in seemingly small ways – but their actions have spoken.
“The city got behind the Save Bayworld Campaign by visiting the facility, donating time and money to Bayworld and also joining NMBT for the Surf n Turf Day at the Races fundraiser at Fairview. Also, hundreds of people visited Red Location Museum to enjoy the fruits of the vine at the inaugural New Brighton Wine Festival.
“This month, through our programmes, many people became tourists in their own city including 180 teachers and learners from across the Bay went to Loerie on board the Apple Express, one of our unique tourist attractions – which celebrated its 150 year anniversary this year.” Skefile attended the anniversary celebrations over the Heritage Day weekend where she implored the public and tourism operators to safeguard it as a crucial part of our heritage.
Skefile replaced outgoing CEO Fezekile Tshiwula, who held the position for six years on September 1. She said that she is focused on growing the meetings industry, sports tourism, and domestic tourism to the city during her tenure. According to Skefile, Tourism Month has helped her find her feet, and also “given her focus, direction and inspiration for the future of NMBT.”
Amongst other events and activities, the Save Bayworld Campaign has been the centerpiece of Tourism Month for NMBT and saw fundraising totals of over R30 000 for Bayworld.
But the campaign had more far-reaching impacts for Bayworld, confirmed Sylvia van Zyl Bayworld director. “Attendance at the facility particularly on special events days, was much higher than on similar days in previous periods. The diversity of people attending also bears testament to a broader distribution of information about Bayworld and its events into the community. We have Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s campaign to thank, in many ways, for this,” said van Zyl.
She also said there had been a significant “groundswell of support” from the city’s people which was “humbling and inspiring”.
NMBT also supported Heritage Day events at Bayworld and the first ever New Brighton Wine Festival. NMBT marketing manager, Titus Chuene, confirmed his satisfaction of the way the month’s festivities went off. “There is such a positive vibe in tourism at the moment, the optimism of spring and riding the wave of an incredible FIFA 2010 World Cup, new blood in leadership and solidarity from the people of Nelson Mandela Bay,” said Chuene. “The experiences of the past month have shown what potential put into action can generate.
“The New Brighton Wine Festival – built on the idea of the Soweto Wine Festival – will encourage more tourism into our townships, together with the support of the new Tourism Development Agency which will focus on encouraging the growth of tourism products in the townships.”
Other successful Tourism Month events supported by NMBT included the Northern Arts Festival and the opening of a township restaurant in Uitenhage. The Northern Arts Festival showcased talented local and national artists and musicians in the colourful, historically unique Bethelsdorp area of the Bay over the Heritage Day weekend.
Also, Rainbow Restaurant and Events opened in KwaNobuhle near Uitenhage towards the end of the World Cup and has been growing from strength to strength over the past couple of months. “The turnout has been huge, amazing,” said owner Mrs Thisani Nonzwanga. “We have had great support from the locals, schoolchildren and people from Goodyear nearby. We are also looking forward to getting more and more tourists here.”
Tourism Month saw the promotion of more diverse tourism activities in the Bay, like visits to Rainbow Restaurant. The quirky eatery on Ponana Tini Road prides themselves on braais, their most popular meal, and a speciality dish called “cheap chow” and are hosting birthday parties and other events. “Come test us out and enjoy of good times and vibe,” said Nonzwanga.
In closing the month off, NMBT also outlined their vision for the future of tourism in the Bay by launching its Green Handbook for responsible and sustainable tourism for both tourists and tourism operators in the city coupled with a workshop.
“While tourism has huge spin-offs in terms of economic benefits, one has to be aware of the impacts we make on both the earth and on people when engaging in tourism,” explained Skefile. “We are following international trends on going green, sustainability and fostering an ethos of responsible tourism.”
Skefile added that while Tourism Month might be over, people should always be tourists in their own city and province.
“Tourism Month may be over, but daily life encompasses tourism – whether you visit a place you have never been in your own city, or engage with diverse people and share pieces of life and experience. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism used Tourism Month to highlight just a few things we have on offer here, but we will continue to highlight these and other attractions so that locals are both aware and proud of the fact that there is more to do in our city than shopping-centres and beaches – over 101 things to love about the Bay.”
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