At a meeting of the George and Wilderness Tourism Association members voted in favour of merging the association with the Outeniqua Country Hop Tourism Association to form one body, which will in future be known as the Outeniqua Tourism Association.
The idea is to embark on a joint marketing initiative. "We can capitalise on this scenic tourism route which was launched many years ago, and continue to build on its strength."
The route showcases the scenic diversity, whilst at the same time introducing places of interest along the way which include the strawberry farm and its fabulous new steam train, cheesemakers, the Fancourt golf course, and ends up in the Outeniqua Mountains at the mountain enclave of Herold.
Chairman Juan Botes said that a membership drive will be embarked upon. Strength in numbers is needed to enter in dialogue with the George Municipality. "We are going to be as inclusive as possible and outlying areas from Hoekwil to Herold as well as Thembalethu and Pacaltsdorp will be included. The new association will be representative of all the stakeholders in the greater George district (the area covered by the CAW registration plate).
The Outeniqua Tourism Association will move forward with new ideas but will retain and expand on current strengths. A Section 21 company has been mooted as it worked well for Knysna.
At the meeting held last month, one of the members expressed his irritation at the fact that since the George Bureau had been taken over by the George Municipality, it had ceased undertaking any tourism marketing.
Botes said this was reason enough for the new association to fill the void and get cracking.
Fanus Brink, local economic development chief of George Municipality and Cathy Dippnall, the public relations officer, who were both present, said afterwards: "The municipality applauds the initiative by local tourism organisations to form one collective body to promote tourism in the George area. The municipality also looks forward to positive co-operation in the future with the newly formed Outeniqua Tourism Association. However marketing funding is a bit short this year."
Article and photo: Pauline Lourens
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The vibe at the meeting called by the George Wilderness Tourism Association was positive. Chairman Juan Botes seen with Pieter Naudé, Philda Benkenstein and association secretary Stan van Wyk.
