Water crisis and tight economy: 'quieter' season

GEORGE NEWS - A holiday season survey among George Tourism members has described the 2017/18 holiday period as busy but quieter than the 2016/17 season and attributed the June fires, water crisis and the tight economy as contributory factors for the drop in numbers.

Those who described their season as 'busy', ascribed their good figures to factors such as affordable rates and longer school holidays.

George Tourism manager Joan Shaw said the survey was sent to members including local accommodation establishments, tourism attractions and eateries.

"The region and province had a different set of factors to deal with in the run-up to the 2017/18 holiday season, such as the fires and the water crisis, which impacted local tourism differently than it would other years.

"For instance, to people from Cape Town the Garden Route water situation may not have seemed so dire in George or Mossel Bay, while people from other regions may have considered it a reason not to visit.

"The June 2017 fires destroyed or affected several accommodation establishments, restaurants and tourism attractions, which may have created a perception that it could impact on the holiday experience.

"Taking this and economic factors into consideration, we are even happier with the overall turnout," said Shaw.

Survey
In the survey, 16,22% of respondents described the past season as hectic; 48,65% called it busy; 21,62% said it was average and 13,5% said it was quiet.

In comparison to the 2016/17 season 40,63% said this year was quieter; 31,25% considered it similar; 25% busier and 3,13% much busier.

Most (50%) were happy with the turnout, but felt it could have been better; 37,5% were very happy; 3,3% were "over the moon" and 9,38% unhappy with the season turnout.

Tourism activities
Fifty-seven percent (57%) of respondents offering tourism activities said they could have hosted more people, while 42,86% said they could not.

Most (36%) accommodation establishments had more than 90% occupancy; 28% had up to 90%; 28% had 50 to 80% and 8% had less than 50%.

Those who regarded it a quieter season said contributory factors included the June fires, water crisis, and high fuel prices, as well as shorter holidays taken due to a tighter economy.

Those who thought the season busy pointed to factors including keeping their rates affordable and a longer season because schools started later than in 2017.

The Garden Route Mall was busy in the 2017/2018 holiday season with 960 000 shoppers frequenting the Mall, bringing an increase in turnover of about 5% over last year.

There were 3 000 more shoppers than in the previous year.

Garden Route Mall general manager Rion Olivier said business spiked between 2 and 5 December as youngsters attending the Plett Rage shopped before going on to Plettenberg Bay.

Another factor which influenced shopping in December was the frenetic Christmas shopping spending on Black Friday (24 November 2017), which may have had an impact on the budget of locals.

Olivier said, "We experienced between 50 and 100% increase in turnover on that day, as well as 40,47% increase on the foot-count on that evening."

Extended shopping hours
The extended holiday shopping hours which enabled shoppers to shop until 19:00 until 5 January 2018 was popular.

"Although the 5% turnover is in some ways marginal, we are satisfied with shopping numbers and grateful that the season went off without a hitch and we have been complimented on social media for accommodating the crowds so well."

Tourism
Outeniqua Tourism Association (OTA) chairman Michael Cook reported back from an informal survey done among guest houses.

"November was not as busy as 2016 (fever Europeans and fewer business people). December's first 12 days were quiet as usual. From 12 December to 10 January it was busy with domestic tourists, and a noticeable increase in demand for self-catering.