Tourism Exco and Bureau Management create a Miracle

- George Peters, Chairperson of the Tourism EXCO, requested that this report be published in the Friend in advance of the Prince Albert Tourism Association AGM. -

Starting the 2006/2007 financial year with a major deficit and a projected shortage of R95,000 for the year on budget, inclusive of the municipal grant, this team through diligent financial controls and hard work through trying times not made easy by artificially forced encounters of the third kind, always lurking from its lair, can be proud to announce that they have turned the financial tide to end up with a near breakeven.

At the beginning of March 2007 it seemed as if the breakeven goal could not be reached and the projected cash flow for May/June indicated a continuous red line. Silent prayers were said to encourage a miracle to happen, then sharp thinking, supported by Zelia and Chantelle, offering extended office hours which pleased our visitors and enriched accommodation members, turned the situation. The curved ball that we received in July 2006 as total rookies was smashed for a home run! What an achievement!

George Peters and his team, through strong and dedicated leadership are certainly placing an irrevocable stamp onto tourism in Prince Albert, setting the stage for a long and positive growth in this difficult market.

Establishing from the onset satellite bureaus in North End/ Klaarstroom and Leeu-Gamka, indicating the direction that they wish to take tourism and creating the opportunity for the wider community to participate in mainstream tourism, was another winner.

This year the Municipal Council has seen it fit to accept the PATA 2007/2008 Budget and will allocate R200,000 (up from R56,000) to operate these offices (x 4) which will allow the Membership Fees to be totally dedicated to Destination Marketing.

The Creative think-tank of JJ Jonkers ( District Mun.) and George Peters with lots of ideas from Dick Billet and Charles Roux, with a good measure contributed by Astro Tours (Hans Deahne), and the total support from the Exco will ensure the creation of a fair number of ongoing job opportunities in the short term.

· Daily shuttle Passenger Service between Prince Albert and George Airport
· In season passenger service to and from Gamkaskloof/Weltevrede Valley and Gamka Dam
· New 4 x 4 route connecting Prince Albert with Klaarstroom with possible Parasailing and
· Hang gliding on route
· Upgrading and the continuous monitoring of existing Swartberg Hiking Routes
· New Hiking Trails stretching from Nelspoort to Laingsburg via the Swartberg and Prince Albert
· with permanent overnight tented bush camps
· Shuttles to existing Geological and Anthropology sites (Judy McGuire)
· Township Tours
· Accredited Local Guide Training
· Hiking Routes from Klaarstroom
· Tourism upgrading at Leeu-Gamka
· The Extreme Karoo Multi-discipline Challenge
· New Town Observatory
· Marketing…Marketing…Marketing!

Well done to George, Dick, Steff and Christine. Well done Zelia and Chantelle