MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

We Do Tourism Sustainably

By

Tourism Month is annually celebrated in September and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT), Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) and Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality (NMBM) will be collaborating this year to introduce the theme and the calendar of this year’s objectives.

Tourism Month’s approach this year is “I Do Tourism” campaign under the theme of “Sustainable Tourism Development”.

Following the ongoing success of NMBT’s #ShareTheBay campaign – a means through which locals and visitors to Nelson Mandela Bay are encouraged to digitally share their experiences in Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch and the surrounding areas – the second #ShareTheBay exhibition will take place in the month of September and will be launched with Tourism Month at the Athenaeum’s Athol Fugard Terrace on 31 August 2017.

Tourism is everyone’s business, a vehicle of change and development and #ShareTheBay is also a motivation for local and domestic visitors to feel ownership with tourism, an encouragement to explore their home ground, and declare, “We Do Tourism”.

“Digital and social media has assisted NMBT in their goal of reaching a global market, creating local ambassadors and uplifting industry stakeholders and the creative arts within the community said NMBT‘s CEO, Mandlakazi Skefile”.

The exhibition – which will be held at the historical and cultural Athenaeum, promoting the emerging creative industry since the 1850s – will feature the captivating natural beauty, heritage, culture and rich history of Nelson Mandela Bay through the eyes of 10 local Instagrammers, bloggers, photographers and creatives from all walks of life notes Marketing Manager, NMBT.

According to the Portfolio Head of Economic Development, Tourism and Agriculture (EDTA) Tourism has been identified by NMBM as a key growth sector, with a great potential to develop and grow the economy of the region and for the creation of much needed jobs. The tourism sector is currently responsible for 49,000 jobs in Nelson Mandela Bay with the prospect of increased jobs growth over the coming years, he said. He further stated that key to its growth, is the development and maintenance of tourism products in order to enhance a visitor‘s experience and to extend their stay. “The recent launch of the campanile is a significant contributor to this effect, said Cllr Whitfield”. NMBM is also currently reviewing its tourism development strategy and its approach to tourism product development. Partnerships with other various stakeholders both internal and external is at the centre of NMBM plans to grow the tourism industry. Councilor Whitfield also encouraged residents to embrace the “I Do Tourism” campaign and to act as tourism ambassadors for the City.

The public is invited to visit the Athenaeum during the month of September to view the exhibition where prints of the 10 selected photographers can be viewed. The prints will also be available for sale and profits will go towards sponsoring a group of underprivileged youth on a tour to Addo Elephant National Park, a landmark in the Bay and a place they have never experienced before.

In addition to the month-long exhibition in September in celebration of Tourism Month, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism will also assist, host and organise a variety of activations.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.