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With most accommodation establishments almost fully booked for the Christmas period, and with a packed programme of events on the Diaz and Santos Beaches as well as at the ATKV resort, the Garden Route Casino and local shopping centres, Mossel Bay is looking forward to a bumper 2007 – 2008 holiday season. This despite the fact that this week’s rains caused some damage to a few tourism products and extensive damage to the beach and beach facilities at Little Brak River.
Amongst the products which were hit by the storm were Eden Inn at Little Brak River and Botlierskop Private Game Reserve – where roads and accommodation facilities were washed away.
“Fortunately none of the animals was harmed, but we will be closed until the end of January while we re-build,” said the Reserve’s manager, JJ Moorcroft. “Also, our reservations office remains open on our regular phone numbers so that anyone with any queries can contact us.”
At the time of going to press, Bonniedale Farm, the 4×4 and outdoor destination, remained cut off and supplies were being ferried in by helicopter.
“Mossel Bay has recently been named the Kaap-Rapport Swartland Wine Cellars Town of the Year, and this is an indication of the growth and success which the town has enjoyed over the last few years,” said the chairman of the Mossel Bay Tourism Board, Louis Cook – who is also chairman of the Mossel Bay Accommodation Association.
Mossel Bay has adopted an aggressive and pro-active marketing strategy which has quickly and effectively raised the profile of the town.
“We have spent much of the last year working on producing appropriate marketing collateral which is user-friendly and which clearly conveys our message that there’s so much to do in Mossel Bay,” said the Board’s marketing director, Louis Harris.
“We began with the re-development of our web site, www.visitmosselbay.co.za. This included building the entire site in English and Afrikaans with pages in Spanish, Dutch, French and German and, in what we believe is a first for any destination marketing organisation in South Africa, in Xhosa, too.”
“This is significant because we believe that tourism should embrace all the people of South Africa and we want it known that Mossel Bay welcomes everyone.”
Material which the company has published during the last year include a “Things to Do in Mossel Bay” brochure, a leaflet about the Outeniqua Choo Tjoe (which now runs daily between George and Mossel Bay), a German language guide and an information brochure which, said Mr. Harris “includes the names and addresses of everyone who would be of use to the visitor.”
“We’ve also embarked on a targeted advertising campaign and we regularly attend various workshops, conferences and exhibitions for consumers and the travel trade. These include the annual Indaba, the Outdoor Shows and, most recently, the World Travel Market in London.”
“Tour operators are showing huge interest in Mossel Bay as a destination – partly because of our increased marketing – and local hotels are showing excellent and increased forward bookings for the coming year.
“In spite of the prevailing economic conditions and although we did not see huge growth in bed nights sold in 2007, Mossel Bay maintained a marginally better position over 2006,” he said.
“We’re confident that this coming summer season will be the start of a great 2008 for the town.”
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
