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GEORGE NEWS - George Herald recently met with Charl Marais of George Trails to discuss some exciting developments.
The brand has been acquired by a non-profit organisation, the George Joint Marketing Association NPC, now operating in partnership with George Tourism.
Their goal is to market George as the ultimate trail destination and establish it as South Africa's trail town.
One of the highlights is the Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT), a major event that draws trail enthusiasts from across the country. George Trails acts as the facilitator, with local trail ambassadors ensuring the brand and the events they support are effectively promoted.
George Trails sponsor bags at a recent event. Photo: Emma Rorke for Garden Route Trail Runners and MountCo
Marais said the organisation focuses on three pillars: sustainability, collaboration and safety. Sustainability is central. He said George's mountain is the town's biggest asset and must be preserved for future generations. George Trails works with trail teams such as the Hillbillies Mountain Biking Club and Garden Route Trail Runners (GTR), CapeNature and other partners to maintain the trails. They also collaborate with trail running, hiking, mountain biking and paddling clubs to support events and attract tourists.
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Community involvement is key, particularly for safety. While the trails are beautiful, reports of attacks and muggings exist. George Trails works with local neighbourhood watches, government and private security companies to make visitors feel safe. There are plans to introduce trail monitors.
A major innovation will be the new trail app. It allows users to explore the mountain confidently, even if unfamiliar with the trails. The app features a tracking system: users set a time and activate tracking, and if they do not check in, Frontier Medix are alerted.
They will attempt to contact the user or next of kin, and if necessary, dispatch a team to locate them using the last known GPS points.
Marais encourages locals and tourists to download the app and support George Trails. The app will be officially launched at the end of January. He also calls on local businesses to contribute funding or services, which are essential for maintaining and expanding the trails for residents and visitors.
For more information, to get involved, donate, provide services or list your business, visit www.georgetrails.org.za.
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