All roads lead to Nelson Mandela Bay this weekend for the South African leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series, and accommodation establishments will be stretched, but visitors should not panic, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) officials said, as there is always enough room now and for the summer season.
“Some accommodation establishments in the city have already reported that they are fully booked. Having said that, there will always be more room in the inn… it is Christmas, after all,” said Mandlakazi Skefile, NMBT chief executive. “Our reservations unit at NMBT is equipped and has the capacity to find accommodation, even if it is a little bit out of town. We will not turn anyone away who wants to come to the city to attend the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens and to enjoy what the city has to offer.
“Remember at NMBT we have an extensive database of all accommodation establishments and an high-tech reservation system linked to hundreds of establishments. Trust me there will still be beds available and NMBT will find them for visitors.”
The city has been spinning for the past week. In an early boost for tourism and the summer season the city recently hosted American multiple Grammy Award-winning artist Josh Groban. The same weekend, national award-winning jazz singer Judith Sephuma also performed to a packed Nangoza Jebe Hall. The South African leg of the HSBC Sevens World Series this weekend is likewise set to spur on tourism to the city creating an early festive season event for the next four years – with accommodation establishments already set to host the onslaught of sports mad Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa Sevens visitors this weekend.
Radisson Blu front office manager Cheslin Sass said they are fully booked for this weekend and expect brisk business during the festive season. “We are fully booked because of the rugby. Accommodation will only be available after this weekend. As for business, the hotel is doing well – shoulders above the rest,” said Sass. The Radisson Blu has 173 rooms.
Dave Snuggs, the Port Elizabeth representative of the Federation Hospitality of South Africa and also general manager of Humewood Hotel, said most establishments were fully booked for this weekend. “As far as I know most of our members are all looking busy this weekend. However, after the rugby, there is accommodation available. Although we are busy, accommodation is available during Christmas and even New Year,” said Snuggs.
Admiralty Beach House manager Marelize Bartlett said they are fully booked until early January when visitors start going back home. “After the Sevens rugby, there is also a tennis tournament taking place and we are fully booked for that also. We also have families coming to stay with us until the early New Year when people start going back. We are quite busy this season,” she said.
Port Elizabeth Metro Bed and Breakfast Association (Pembba) chairperson Shena Wilmot said although accommodation will be available in Nelson Mandela Bay throughout the summer season, this did not mean that business was not good. She said most of the establishments were “slowly” filling up.
“There is still quite a bit (of accommodation), but we are not bad business wise. It’s not great but also not dreadful. Some people are still deciding on their holiday plans, with some still waiting to see whether they will get bonuses, which will be extra money to spend,” said Wilmot.
She said with two big tournaments in Port Elizabeth – one for chess and other for tennis – it is expected that more accommodation will be taken up. Pembba represents just under a hundred bed and breakfast establishments in the city, Storms River and in the Addo and Colchester areas.
Skefile is happy that accommodation establishments will be busy this summer season. “Visitors are always welcome to Nelson Mandela Bay. We will make sure enough accommodation is provided for holiday-makers. We also call upon the city residents to be receptive as usual, and go out of their way to accommodate our visitors,” said Skefile.
You could also try the Guest Houses listed on MyPE or go a little further afield and book accommodation in Kirkwood or Addo.
Alan Straton
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