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 “home ” so that locals can reaffirm why they love Nelson Mandela Bay and be aware of what is on offer to visitors. Our own residents are, after all, our best ambassadors. When it comes to Nelson Mandela Bay, they live here, and we want to remind them of all the forgotten gems and attractions their city has to offer,” said Phillips.
Included in the host of exciting events, is Travel Quest, the city’s own version of the popular reality television show, The Amazing Race. NMBT has challenged its members to take part.
“Its purpose is to arm tourism businesses and also businesses in the service sector that serve tourists, like petrol attendants, with information about Nelson Mandela Bay that can be shared with visitors. Travel Quest will also encourage businesses to make sure their frontline staff are fully informed about the city. They are normally the tourists’ first point of contact on arrival in the city,” said Phillips.
NMBT has also aggressively promoted its protected areas in and around the city, like Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Tourism month will see NMBT stimulating interest among locals about its collection of guided nature walks, like the Sacramento and the Roseate Tern trail.
There will be events and activities linked to the city’s all important heritage. Another highlight on 2012 Tourism Month calendar, especially for children, will be a “Night at the Museum” at 7 Castle Hill Museum on 28 September. The lesser known South End Museum Heritage Trail will also be promoted.
NMBT and Kingfisher FM community radio station will combine efforts and roll out the exciting Traveling Tribe initiative, which is a social media group that posts blogs and reports on their experiences in the Eastern Cape. Their experiences will also be aired on radio and there will be prizes for the best content.
“The bulk of tourists that visit our city visit family and friends. What better way to promote the city than re-establishing the locals’ love and appreciation for it, so they can share that love with their visitors. That is why it is so important to make our residents into ambassadors of Nelson Mandela Bay by becoming tourists themselves this Tourism Month,” said Phillips at the launch.
All the fun and excitement does not stop there. South African National Parks (SANParks) will host a week where South Africans can enter any park free of charge. NMBT will put together a tour for the elderly from Gelvan Park Old Age Home to Addo National Elephant Park. Staff from NMBT will escort the elderly to a day-in-the-park.
“This shows that any resident can be a tourist in Nelson Mandela Bay.”
Other NMBT supported events include Cultural Explosion at the Boardwalk, the Urban Run through the inner city, the Northern Arts Festival and a Sunset Township tour to New Brighton and Zwide by train.
“The Sunset Township tour, one of the highlights on the calendar, includes tshisa nyama” – an experience our suburbanites can definitely not miss out on!
“Oh, and there is no way we can forget Happy Valley Braai Day on 24 September with Bay TV. Local talent will perform, braai packs and refreshments will be on sale
“Tourism Month is something South Africa as a country looks forward to annually. It’s a time to explore, enjoy and entertain. This year will be no different,” said Phillips, who also highlighted a Spring Science Fun Day at the Science Centre in Uitenhage on 15 September and a visit to Hinterland, a mohair factory.
“We are giving you more than 101 reasons to love Nelson Mandela Bay – so lets go out there and share the love” quipped Phillips
For more information, Phillips said people should contact NMBT, visit www.nmbt.co.za or one of the organisation’s visitor information centres in Port Elizabeth or Uitenhage.
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NMBT CEO Mandlakazi Skefile (from left), city councilor and member of the tourism standing committee Buyelwa Mafaya, and, NMBT events coordinator Phrosne Phillips outside Red Location Museum while attending the Tourism Month launch. Picture: NMBT
