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Bethelsdorp, Walmer and New Brighton are set to receive a massive tourism boost as the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality launches its eclectic programme predominately promoting Gqeberha’s heritage.
As part of the two-day programme, the municipality launched its vision at the Grootkloof Nature Reserve in Bethelsdorp on Thursday with three new community-based tourism experiences — the Bethelsdorp Khoi Experience, Walmer Township Historical Experience and the New Brighton Xhosa Cultural Experience.
Among those in attendance were Khoi chiefs, economic development, tourism and agriculture political head Mkhuseli Jack, Akorn’s director of cruise sales and projects for Sub-Saharan Africa, Paul Bruning, and the chair of Discover Mandela Bay, Andrew Stewart.
Jack said the Bay was fortunate that the cruise liners had selected NMB as part of their base in the southern hemisphere.
“That puts us in a very good position in terms of exploiting that.
“We will have a lot of people off the streets, right into the workplace in all these facilities.
“We cannot compete as a tourist destination of choice while trying to be Hollywood or Paris which already exist. We should rather exploit our rich, unique heritage,” Jack said.
Bruning said there were cruise liners looking to make Algoa Bay a home port, bringing a variety of economic spin-offs for the metro.
“The economic benefits filter outside the normal touring that we do, to the accommodation venues, restaurants and crafters.
“From a development point of view, we do need to look at creating a terminal at the port,” Bruning said.
“The good news I heard is that they are going to double their stay, which means for the first time we are having a German cruise ship spending the night in NMB, which means you will have two days to sell tours.
“There are six or seven expedition vessels putting itineraries together which include NMB for future seasons.
“The work done with these particular tours is one of the main reasons these vessels are coming to our waters. They have realised that we have an amazing cultural story,” Bruning said.
Chief Cydville Frans from the Tiqua (Rain God) Tourism Vibes said the launch was very important for them, with the Grootkloof trail set to be used to educate tourists on the different plants used by the Khoi, their culture, food and healing herbs.
The speaker for the Bloodline house leadership in the King Nqika area, in the Sarah Baartman region, Nkosi James Fatuse also welcomed the initiative.
He said it would provide the Xhosa culture with a platform to be celebrated through tourism.
EDTA trade co-ordinator Doné Louw said the city had developed a lengthy programme for September which included a rhino conservation awareness drive.
HeraldLIVE
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