New Tourism committee, new busines plan

St Francis Tourism now has new steering committee and new business plan to take St Francis through to the festive season. 

“We have learnt from the lessons of the past and know we can make a difference, despite lack of funding,” says Tourism officer, Warren Manser. 

Above,  New members of the committee: Keith Donaldson, Jo Brown, Trevor Tennant, Sarah Swanepoel, Esti Stewart and Warren Manser.  Photo supplied

The tourism committee aims to make an increased drive to swell the number of members.  Membership is open to everyone. There is a small once off fee for administration and the membership card, plus a Tourism sticker for business premises.  

“There is a need for all businesses to become members of Tourism. Once a business is signed up, we will issue them their loyalty sticker for display as well as adequate information to assist visitors,” Manser says. 

Accommodation establishments will get free listings on the website, but will pay for the enquiry and bookings facilities, for home page advertisements as well as for advertising on the popular blue map, which will also be available to all members. 

Since everyone living in a holiday town is an ambassador, it is important to have people with knowledge and ready information on the amenities of the town to assist visitors. The committee will earmark individuals in contact with the public and empower them to assist visitors.  

The St Francis Tourism website is the main tool for international marketing and a portal for prospective visitors who have accommodation inquiries or who wish to book..

“It is important that St Francis Tourism should in principle be financed by the Kouga Municipality through a monthly grant,” Warren said. “Although these grants dried up earlier in the year, negotiations with the new Director of Tourism, Carleen Arends, seem promising and we hope to have everything back on track within the next few weeks.” 

 “We are thankful to Trevor and Sharon Tennant who have been sponsoring office space in the Tennant Centre, thus keeping the doors of St Francis Tourism open for the last two years,” Manser adds.

(edited)

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