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“We have so much to offer but it is getting lost in crime, grime and under-policed regulations.”
This is the shared sentiment of accommodation, marketing and heritage tourism operators in Nelson Mandela Bay who believe the metro is sleeping on its potential to be a holiday destination of choice.
With tourism bed nights having declined in Nelson Mandela Bay for the third consecutive year and signs that Easter will follow the same trend, tourism operators and politicians are calling for urgent intervention.
They believe a bigger budget and better allocation linked to increased policing, infrastructure maintenance, clean-ups, marketing and consultation with companies at the coal face can reverse the problem.
But they all agree it is time for action and not further unfulfilled promises.
According to a report tabled by Bay economic development, environment and tourism acting executive director Wandisile Makwabe on April 11, tourist bed occupancy in the metro fell to 57% in the 2024 summer season from 64% in 2023.
This was an even steeper decline from the 69% recorded in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic.
PE Metropolitan Bed & Breakfast Association chair Shena Wilmot said the metro police budget had to be increased substantially and bylaws needed to be enforced.
“Thankfully, we have had a lot of big events this month, but Easter does not look promising at all.”
Gqeberha-based Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa regional representative and Southern African Tourism Services’ Association (Satsa) Eastern Cape chair Glenn Pappin said 2025 Bay bed night figures were up so far over 2023 and 2024.
This was a result of a series of events including Ironman, school sports competitions, the Africa Coastal Marine and Maritime Tourism Trade Market and the recent influx of ministers.
“However, this momentum is not expected to carry through the remainder of the month.
“Occupancy rates across the city are projected to dip sharply over the Easter weekend.”
He said deteriorating infrastructure and crime were persistent challenges to a sustained rise in tourism bed nights in the Bay and these problems were also affecting the broader Eastern Cape.
“Satsa data indicates the Eastern Cape accounts for just 3-4% of national bed nights, a clear signal that the province is underperforming.
“We need structured engagement between public and private sector stakeholders.
“We must pivot towards a more diversified approach that positions cities like Gqeberha and the greater Eastern Cape as must-visit destinations.”
Discover Mandela Bay project manager Shaun van Eck said declining bed nights in the Bay were a reality but it could be turned around.
“We need to substantially increase the tourism budget and ensure it is allocated in a way that shows a pro-poor approach.
“Economic development and job creation need also to be part of the allocation criteria, not just where the most murders are.
“Business, the Mandela Bay Development Agency and interest groups have done awesome work with cameras, lighting and other measures. But there is still a lack of visible policing in our tourism hotspots.”
Historical Society of Port Elizabeth chair Graham Taylor said Bay heritage tourism assets — from colonial buildings to Route 67, created to honour former president Nelson Mandela — had huge potential to push up bed nights.
However, visitors were being chased off by crime and infrastructural decay.
“These problems are not difficult to fix.
“We need to make the heart of the city clean, safe and secure.
“But the government needs to work together with the private and voluntary operators who actually work with tourists and have solutions.”
Umzantsi Afrika Tours operation manager Lyn Haller said Gqeberha’s historic inner city was in a shocking state and more needed to be done to clean up rubbish and repair roads.
“Trees are growing out the oldest buildings south of the equator ... If it was not for our beautiful game reserves and beaches our tourism numbers would be even lower.”
DA MPL Dr Vicky Knoetze said the Bay bed night report was a red flag for the provincial economy and employment.
“When tourists do not come, they do not spend. That means fewer waiters, fewer guides, fewer shuttle drivers and fewer hospitality workers employed.
“The report highlights that the Eastern Cape is losing ground to other provinces.
“Visitors are choosing cleaner, safer and more efficiently run destinations.
“Crime, grime and crumbling infrastructure are chasing tourists and investors away.”
Knoetze said she would be writing to premier Oscar Mabuyane to request a tourism indaba with stakeholders and government departments.
According to Makwabe’s report, the Bay self-catering sector fared relatively well in 2024 with 91 properties achieving an occupancy rate of 63.9%.
Looking more broadly, it said the Western Cape continued to dominate tourism accommodation occupancy figures.
“The Garden Route has remained consistent at 72.4% in both 2023 and 2024, further cementing the Western Cape’s reputation as the benchmark for tourism in the country.
“These results highlight the region’s strong infrastructure, marketing strategies and international appeal.”
Municipal spokesperson Sithembiso Soyaya said on Sunday that the metro was aware of the tourism challenges.
It was confronting them through interventions including a unified marketing campaign showcasing the city’s diverse attractions, a partnership with the SAPS to secure public safety during holidays, and enhanced security and lighting along key tourist routes.
He highlighted the metro’s commitment to strengthen public-private partnerships and the introduction of a new “tourism incentive programme ... designed to support upgrades, innovation, and growth in the sector”.
In related news in Gqeberha on Thursday, three national deputy ministers and their teams converged on the Truck Stop section of the R335 to Motherwell and Addo to clamp down on errant motorists and engage with them and the local community.
The intervention took the form of a roadblock spearheaded by the transport deputy minister who was joined by the tourism and public service and administration deputy ministers.
“Road safety is a priority and we need to inculcate a responsible driving culture,” public service and administration deputy minister Pinky Kekana said.
“We are calling on the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality to prioritise spots like this where there are several different road user groups, and at the same time traffic lights are not working because thieves have stolen the wires.
“At a point like this, the metro needs to put a traffic officer on the ground at peak times to direct the traffic.”
Transport deputy minister Mkhuleko Hlengwa confronted a drunk driver himself while the driver was breathalysed and then handcuffed.
“He has been arrested and further roadworthy checks will be done on his vehicle.”
Hlengwa said “drunk walking” was another major cause of road accidents in SA.
Asked about the topic of declining tourism bed nights in the Bay, tourism deputy minister Makhotso Sotyu said she was in the metro to listen and help.
“We have come to meet the stakeholders. They must tell us what the problems are.
“We are prepared to assist. We have possible grants and loans that are available.”
The Herald
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