KOUGA Municipality is on a mission to reboot the tourism industry – making the region the Events Capital of South Africa post Covid-19.
Kouga Executive Mayor says, “The coronavirus pandemic has radically impacted our tourism industry.
“Hundreds of jobs in the tourism sector are at risk with accommodation establishments, game reserves, restaurants and attractions forced to close under the strict lockdown regulations.
“Add to this the numerous events that had to be cancelled.”
One such a major event is the annual JBay Winterfest – injecting over R80 million into the local economy.
According to Hendricks, this event alone sees an increase of over 380 000 tourists.
“Accommodation establishments are filled to capacity and restaurants and shops are a beehive of activity. Not to mention all the informal work that is created during the duration of the festival.”
However, according to Bianca van Aardt from the World Surf League (WSL), the Corona Open J-Bay, the anchor event of the JBay Winterfest, will go ahead as planned for now.
”It is too early to tell if the Corona Open J-Bay, scheduled for July, will take place. Our update for the 2020 Championship Tour season and all our events will be on June 1 for events starting in July,” she says.
“The WSL will continue to monitor the situation, but it is too early to tell where and when we would start the Championship Tour season for 2020. We need to assess two major variables: the first is when it is safe to travel and the second is what our available options are for the best possible surf conditions.
“We are feeling the impacts of these event cancellations and postponements just like every major sport and business, but we are confident that once we get back to running our tours, our economic engine will be thriving.”
Events cancelled for April include the Kouga Mayor’s Cup tournament in April, the second annual Jeffreys Bay Beach Carnival, and the Pam Golding King of the Kromme Challenge.
Other events cancelled are the Pam Golding Ladies’ Open in May and the JBay Wind Farm MTB Classic and Trail Run, as well as the Trans Baviaans in August and the JBay Makiti in September.
“This is an unprecedented crisis for the tourism industry, and unless radical steps are taken to support the industry, a major component of our local economy will close down,” says Hendricks.
“Therefore, an economic action plan is set to be rolled out to ensure that tourism remains a key role player in Kouga – including geotourism and business tourism.”
According to Hendricks, the plan comprises three stages: response, adaptation and recovery.
“As we are still in the early stages of the pandemic, the primary focus will be on response,” he says. “We are engaging with the different role players and a lot still needs to be done.
“Through tourism we can create millions in revenue injection into our local economy and provide impetus to our drive to create one job in every home in Kouga.
“Events, that will attract tens of thousands of patrons, will grow our local businesses and create employment and sustainable opportunities.”
