September is Tourism Month and the Garden Route is kicking off this period with a host of exciting events.
Focussing on the importance of tourism for the economy, tourism bureau are involved in organizing a variety of festivals and lining up activities to enhance tourism skills in the area.
In Plettenberg Bay, the Whisky, Whales and Jazz Festival will take place from September 19 to 28, while in Knysna, Gastronomica will be staged from September 24 to 28, and in George, the Outeniqua Country Hop Festival is from September 26 to 28.
Knysna Tourism is focusing on training and service enhancement, starting off with an SA Host workshop, which has already been fully booked and will be presented free of charge by the Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP).
Knysna Tourism head Shaun van Eck said: “Customer service is vitally important and adds value, and the SA Host workshops are aiming to improve service standards in the tourism industry. These workshops are applicable to everybody who deals with visitors, customers and other staff members.”
During Tourism Month, TEP will also present a workshop for SMME’s on tourism channels, explaining the way different organizations work together to bring about tourism in South Africa.
Van Eck said getting the right information was often a big problem for SMMEs. “We select training courses and facilitate the training process, making sure they have the necessary tools to enhance their businesses. If the community is well informed, it is easier to get more involved in the tourism industry and take advantage of the variety of opportunities.”
TEP will also host a Marketing in Tourism workshop, looking at ways for businesses to increase their market share.
The Knysna Tourism Eisteddfod will again be part of Tourism Month and local schools can become involved with music, art and creative writing exhibitions. This year’s theme is the conservation of Knysna’s indigenous forest and aquatic resources, and activities will be complemented by educational talks by South African National Parks and the Tourism Education Trust.
George Tourism will provide member information sessions on the way forward for the George Wilderness Tourism Association and on the marketing strategy for 2008/09. This association is also conducting SA Host training for 20 frontline staff in George, while towards the end of the month there will be a Match 2010 accommodation workshop meet and greet.
Throughout the month George Tourism will stage a tourism photographic competition and both amateur and professional photographers are invited to submit entries.
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