Sometimes it helps to see your home town through the eyes of a tourist. The things we take for granted, when viewed in a different light become important and exciting again. Tim, a South African living and working in Taipei, Taiwan, and Glo, an American graduate student studying in the U.S. share their adventures around the world on YouTube all whilst in a long distance relationship since 2010. In this video from January 2013 Tim and Glo take a scenic helicopter ride with John Huddlestone … [Read more...] about PE Through a Tourist’s Eyes
Tourism
Golden Mile Tourists Assured of their Safety
The upcoming summer season sees many visitors and tourists flocking to Port Elizabeth to enjoy our warm weather, friendly residents and stunning beaches. Each season a tourism safety hot spot project is put in place as a joint effort between Nelson MAndela Bay Tourism (NMBT), the Humewood South African Police Services (SAPS) , the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Safety and Security Directorate, the beach office, the Traffic Department, Disaster Management, the Fire and Environmental … [Read more...] about Golden Mile Tourists Assured of their Safety
China now one of SA’s top five source tourist markets
Tourist arrivals to South Africa grew by 10.5% for the first six months of 2012, more than double the global average of 5% for the same period. According to the most recent tourism figures, tourist numbers to South Africa increased by an impressive 10.5% during the first half of 2012, which is double the global tourism growth rate of 5%. "Stats SA's tourism figures indicate that South Africa experienced an excellent first half of the year, attracting 4 416 373 tourists to the country … [Read more...] about China now one of SA’s top five source tourist markets
Shock at Lalibela Rhino Poaching
In the matter of just a few short hours early this morning, the number of rhinos lost to poaching here in the Eastern Cape this year more than doubled from three to seven. NMBT CEO, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism CEO Mandlakazi Skefile said; "In spite of all that is being done in the Eastern Cape and nationally to curb the slaughter of rhino, it is with shock that I have learnt that four rhinos from Lalibela Game Reserve were found dead this morning. Lalibela is a member of Nelson Mandela Bay … [Read more...] about Shock at Lalibela Rhino Poaching
Port Elizabeth welcomes Dolphin Rally Bikers
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality will once again play host from 27 to 30 September to the exciting Dolphin Rally at the Beach view Resort allowing thousands of bikers to congregate for hair-raising competitions and a change to give back to the poor and needy. Cllr Nomhle Mzilikazi, who represented Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Zanoxolo Wayile at a media launch today, said the bikers are very welcome in the city since under the leather and the sunglasses and the tough exterior, there … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth welcomes Dolphin Rally Bikers
September is Tourism Month
Residents were urged to become tourists in their own city during the upcoming tourism month that was launched by the city's tourism authority, NMBT, today at the Red Location Museum in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. Events coordinator at Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) Phrosne Phillips said locals could expect an array of activities that would range from festivals and trails to the interesting Traveling Tribe promotion. "Tourism month this year will focus on experiences right here at … [Read more...] about September is Tourism Month
National SACBC Council Meet in Port Elizabeth
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism was selected to host today's inaugural meeting of the South African Convention Bureau Council (SACBC) in Port Elizabeth. The high-powered 14-member council representing convention bureaus around the country arrived in the city this morning for the all-day meeting. "Obviously we feel proud that NMBT was selected to host the meeting, but more importantly what it means is that Nelson Mandela Bay has been recognised by the SACBC as a worthy convention destination," … [Read more...] about National SACBC Council Meet in Port Elizabeth
Win as One Pledge to Boost Business Tourism
The National SAACI Congress at the end of July 2012 saw numerous sectors of the Conference and Events Industry come together to “Shift Paradigms” (the theme of the national conference this year). In its 25th year, SAACI has grown to become a voice of the industry it represents, with the national congress educating delegates on numerous initiatives this year. One such initiative is that of the National Convention Bureau who, through Thulani Nzima (SA Tourism CEO), announced the objectives of the … [Read more...] about Win as One Pledge to Boost Business Tourism
Spend Mandela Day in the Bay
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) is setting the example of how to spend International Mandela Day on Wednesday 18 July as they invite everyone to join in a two-headed community uplifting initiative this coming Wednesday. Mandela Day is celebrated on the country's first democratically elected president, uTata Madiba's birthday and encourages everyone to give 67 minutes to help people less fortunate - one minute for each year of his life Madiba gave to politics. "In the spirit of Mandela … [Read more...] about Spend Mandela Day in the Bay
SA Tourists Arrivals Increase in 2012
Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk says South Africa saw exceptional growth in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of 2012. Overall tourist arrivals to South Africa grew by an impressive 10.5 percent in the first quarter of 2012, with strong growth recorded across all regions, he said. The period from January to March 2012 saw a total of 2 267 807 tourist arrivals to South Africa - 216 031 or 10.5 percent more than in the corresponding period in 2011. He also announced that overseas … [Read more...] about SA Tourists Arrivals Increase in 2012
Indaba 2012 Triumph
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) and the municipality report that they have reaped the benefits of their collective efforts at the South African tourism event of the year, Indaba 2012, saying that they have returned to the city together with enthusiast international media all set to tell millions of readers and viewers all about Nelson Mandela Bay. Chinese and Argentinian journalists from their respective countries' top travel media have selected Nelson Mandela Bay as their post Indaba tour. … [Read more...] about Indaba 2012 Triumph
Port Elizabeth in the Top 25 – Take a Bow People!
The winners of the 2012 Travelers' Choice® Destinations awards have been announced by Tripadvisor, a well known social media / tourism rating platform. In this fourth year of the awards, a total of 440 outstanding destinations in 37 markets across the globe, including lists for Africa, Asia, Europe, the United States and many more have been honored. Based on millions of reviews and opinions from Tripadvisor travelers, award winners were determined based on the popularity of destinations, … [Read more...] about Port Elizabeth in the Top 25 – Take a Bow People!
PE’s Hidden Treasure Could Become My Local
On Friday 4 May I popped along to Jeya's Tavern in New Brighton for a celebratory lunch and Orange Juice. What excited me no end about our little Hidden Treasure was when the face and voice of Jeya's, Noxolo Sume, told me that Shebeen beers (Quarts) are R12.00 a pop. Cheaper even than at the Algoa Bay Yacht Club with my members discount I tell you. Jeya's Jazz Tavern has, for 8 years dominated the corner of Ferguson and Avenue A in New Brighton and played host to many local and overseas … [Read more...] about PE’s Hidden Treasure Could Become My Local
Foreign Volunteers at local Lion Park
With all this Friday the 13th doom and gloom happening a pick me up was needed so off I toddled to YouTube to see if I could find a happy face or story about Port Elizabeth. Thankfully, I did. The Good Hope Studies Language School in Cape Town offers its students a host of volunteering programmes to help with their English studies. One of these is a Coastal Lion Park experience working with the Lion Cubs at the Seaview Lion Park, just outside Port Elizabeth, for two weeks. The Seaview Lion … [Read more...] about Foreign Volunteers at local Lion Park
Results of the Splash Festival Accommodation Survey
We are in agreement that large local events are held not only to raise the profile of our city but also to attract 'foreign' money into our economy. This injection of 'foreign' money helps to grow our local economy by attracting money from outside of our municipal boundaries into Port Elizabeth. Just stirring the dwindling available money around in the Port Elizabeth pot doesn't really achieve anything. In a recent snap survey sent to 263 accommodation providers, MyPE asked these … [Read more...] about Results of the Splash Festival Accommodation Survey
