MOSSEL BAY NEWS - September saw the commemoration of Tourism Month, which provided a heightened focus on the importance of tourism to the South African economy.
Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) is encouraging locals to make use of the Port of Mossel Bay recreational area, where restaurants and other attractions are open for business under guided Covid-19 regulations.
TNPA plays a major role in sustaining the South African economy through various tourism boosting activities and strategic partnerships that present each port city with an opportunity to enhance and amplify its efforts to market the region as a tourist destination of choice.
Mossel Bay Port Manager, Shadrack Tshikalange, said South African ports are vital to the economy and tourism has the potential to contribute to the growth of the economy, especially amid the global Covid-19 pandemic.
“The port has observed a gradual increase in the number of people who visit the current waterfront restaurants, which is a clear indication that people have opened up to the new normal and are ready to fully embrace it,” he said.
“Resuscitating the tourism industry will be a mammoth task, however, it will not be impossible if we work together. The Port of Mossel Bay is committed to providing all the assistance required to put our beautiful city back at the top of South Africa’s tourism destinations of choice. Allowing the restaurants to operate and monitoring their compliance, is a step in the right direction and we will collectively flatten the curve,” added Tshikalange.
Despite it being a mammoth task to resurrect the tourism industry, Mossel Bay Port Manager Shadrack Tshikalange says it is not impossible if all parties work together to make Mossel Bay a destination of choice.
Mossel Bay Tourism's chief operating officer, Aneli Gerber said at the beginning of the pandemic, all local tourism operators were encouraged get back to the drawing board and look for new, innovative and authentic ways to sell their offerings to a new consumer.
“The time has come for them to showcase what they have been working towards and how they plan on not only sustaining themselves but the economy of Mossel Bay.
"The Tourism Department has an open-door policy which allows for all interested parties to directly engage as and when assistance is required. We are looking forward to the tourism peak season and we trust that visitors from all neighbouring cities and the rest of South Africa will come and explore our beautiful town."
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