Western Cape government looks at tourism opportunities in George

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Not even cold rainy weather on Monday stood in the way when members of the Western Cape government under the leadership of Premier Alan Winde visited George to see for themselves the great tourism opportunities that George has on offer.

Winde, together with Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger and Minister of Mobility Daylin Mitchell, kicked off the start of Tourism Month with a tour in the Western Cape. They visited Wonki Ware, Redberry Farm and George Airport.

The visit started at the Wonki Ware factory in the industrial area where the owner, Dianne Marshall, took the dignitaries on a tour. The company exports products worldwide and about 3 000 pottery products are produced every day.

Their next stop was Wonki Ware's factory shop in York Street and the linked restaurant The Pottery, where Winde and his colleagues painted coffee mugs and had lunch.

From there they visited Redberry Farm where Winde, Wenger and Mitchell took the stairs inside the world's largest strawberry to the viewpoint on top.

Later Wenger visited the George Airport where she was taken on a tour and was informed about activities and future plans.

The Western Cape delegation was taken on a tour of the Wonki Ware factory.
Photo: Eugene Gunning.

Tourism a job driver

Winde said tourism is one of the big job drivers in the Western Cape. Tourism and agriculture are the engine rooms of job creation in the Western Cape and he was amazed to see at Redberry Farm how these industries can support each other.

After two years of disruption in the industry, he finds it really great to see everything opening up again. It is critical to the economy to create jobs and get the economy going. The slowing down over the past two years really hurt people and a lot of people lost their jobs. Marketing and funding are the most challenging factors at this stage as there is not much money to throw around. It is going to be a slow machine in fixing up, he said.

His message to the business community is: "Don't give up and keep on offering great opportunities."

Premier Alan Winde and Mayor Leon van Wyk share a joke at Wonki Ware.

Wenger said they are encouraged by the recovery in tourism. George Airport is exceeding 2019 levels, which is a good sign for growth and an excellent sign for the approaching summer season.

George Mayor Leon van Wyk said the visit was an opportunity to highlight the level of employment in the tourism industry in George.

Passenger traffic at George Airport has recovered the quickest and the best in South Africa after Covid. He is expecting a further increase heading into the December holiday season.

At the top of the world's largest strawberry: Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities Mireille Wenger, Premier Alan Winde, Vati Tyulo of Redberry Farm, Western Cape Minister of Mobility Daylin Mitchell and George Mayor Leon van Wyk. Photos: Eugene Gunning