GEORGE NEWS - The Outeniqua Tourism Association (Ota) has added its support to the concerned voices regarding the repair and opening of the Montagu Pass.

Last week, chairperson Michael Cook welcomed work that started recently to repair flood damage in the pass and said the sooner it opens, the better for all the tourism businesses and residents of Herold.

"Ota considers this pass to be an iconic tourist attraction for both domestic and overseas tourists. It is crucial for our local tourism. People come to our area for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling and this pass is a huge drawcard."

Repair work on the historic pass was halted by Heritage Western Cape (HWC) in November 2022 for the issuing of a permit. Specific repair methods have to be used that conform to techniques that were used to build the pass. Since then it has been closed for traffic, impacting severely on tourism businesses in Herold and the Toll House.

Garden Route District Municipality could resume repair work recently after the required permit was issued. It has to adhere to the conditions of the permit.

Maureen Fourie, co-owner of Herold Wines with her husband Nico, told the newspaper they have had a 40% drop in business since the closure of the pass. 

"We are very much looking forward to the reopening, if the authorities stick to their promise. A lot of people who drive over the pass see our name board and turn off to visit us.

" It is unfortunate, though, that we are entering the quiet season from May till September. We get a lot of overseas tourists, but they are on the point of returning home."

Slow but steady upturn in visitors

Cook issued a short media statement about Ota's recently held annual general meeting where he reported to members that the local tourism industry has seen a slow but steady upturn in visitor numbers after the disaster caused by the Covid pandemic. 

He also said the head of tourism, Joan Shaw, and her team running the George and Wilderness tourism offices, have made very good progress in reviving the tourism offering for these areas.

"Ota is the only constituted stakeholder association representing tourism in the George municipal area. It has for many years been seeking a closer working relationship with George Tourism in order to advise on the association's concerns and problems of its members, and suggest solutions."

He said during the pandemic, he and Shaw had regular telephonic meetings and this has continued and developed into a good working relationship.

Start of partnership with municipality

Shaw has also set up a stakeholder meeting group, the George Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) hosted by George and Wilderness Tourism. The meetings are convened every two months and Ota has a seat on the committee, Cook said in the statement.

"This committee is the start of a municipal and stakeholder partnership which is something Ota and stakeholders of this municipal area have been requesting for many years."

He said Ota was successful in lobbying the George Municipality for a fairer sewerage tariff for one to four-bedroom bed and breakfasts and guesthouses. The change in tariff should make the charges fairer when the establishment has no or low occupancy. 

"Ota further alerted the members to check their meter readings for electricity and water, and to keep a record due to incorrect billing from the municipality," said Cook.

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