MOSSEL BAY NEWS - South Africa is moving to Covid-19 alert level 1 on Monday, 21 September, and this is a green light to welcome more visitors to Mossel Bay.
The announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Wednesday was a godsend, as Mossel Bay Tourism launched a new, nationwide campaign this week, called The Great Escape to Mossel Bay, to attract visitors planning their post-lockdown escape.
There are few stories more captivating than a successful, heroic escape despite the odds.
On the night of 24 March 1944, during World War 2, one of the largest and most daring escape attempts took place.
More than 200 Allied soldiers made a pact to escape the German prisoner of war camp, Stalag Luft III. The plan included digging three massive tunnels, named Tom, Dick and Harry. The hope was that one of these would lead to freedom and 76 people were able to escape. Only three managed to evade capture.
The mastermind behind this great escape was a 24-year-old South African-born fighter pilot, Squadron Leader Roger Bushell. His name has gone down in history as one of the great heroes of the Second World War.
Fast forward to the present day. The year 2020 may have seen South Africans sharing Roger Bushell's sentiments on escaping. As Covid-19 restrictions are continually lowered, those who have felt the confinement are planning their escape. If you will, one can boldly say this has the potential of being the greatest collective escape of all time. Hence, choosing the right escape plan is essential.
It's time to abandon the quest of becoming gourmet chefs in baking banana bread or trying to retain sanity while acting as qualified teachers, coping with home schooling our kids. We ambitiously tried being our own personal trainers, slogging through online workouts, but still succumbed to "lockdown shape". Some of us are still home office keyboard warriors sporting a blazer and pyjama bottoms while navigating awkward Zoom meetings.
Be an ambassador
Despite weathering challenges times, we are blessed to stay in arguably the most award-winning town in South Africa. Call it the adventure capital, boasting something for everyone, from the call of the African bushveld to the sound of crashing waves.
It's time to get out. Let's escape and reclaim our freedom. Explore Mossel Bay, where the sun shines 320 days a year. Where more activities are available than you can ever imagine.
This call to action urges you, yes you, to band together with Mossel Bay Tourism as it leads the charge and launches a nationwide campaign, aptly titled The Great Escape to Mossel Bay, inviting visitors from the Garden Route, the greater Western Cape and Eastern Cape, as well as national tourists, looking for their post-lockdown escape.
Top of the agenda is to mobilise local support in promoting Mossel Bay as the preferred destination. As Aneli Gerber, Tourism Chief Operations Officer points out, "Mossel Bay is arguably the most award-winning town in South Africa, and sometimes, we, as 'locals' forget that we have achieved so much and have so much to be proud of. We encourage residents and visitors to support local establishments, not just financially, but also by promoting our Mossel Bay brand wherever we can."
Mossel Bay Municipality has committed to The Great Escape to Mossel Bay initiative, promoting the support of local businesses, especially since the reopening of inter-provincial leisure travel.
"What can you do to show your support? Support local. Explore your home turf. If you feel like getting a bit more involved, contact me at Mossel Bay Tourism (044 691-2202 or info@visitmosselbay.co.za)," says Aneli Gerber.
The campaign was introduced to members of the local business fraternity on Tuesday, 15 September at the monthly meeting of the Mossel Bay Business Chamber.
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