NELSON MANDELA BAY TOURISM TO EXHIBIT THE PEOPLES EXPERIENCES OF THE BAY

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) have joined forces with Colours of You SA, a community of local creative’s encouraging artistic talent and all things South African, to promote tourism month in 2016 through social media and the camera lenses of the people of the Bay.

The Tourism Month collaboration will kick off with a launch in the Athenaeum where an exciting exhibition of photographs will showcase Nelson Mandela Bay through the eyes of the locals and those who visited.

NMBT invites the public – photographers, creative’s and Instagrammers – to share their best images of Nelson Mandela Bay which promote the people, adventure, heritage, nature and the city, under the hashtags #ShareTheBay and #ColoursofYouSA on Instagram and Twitter.

Ever since NMBT launched #ShareTheBay – an exciting and innovative digital campaign which encouraged locals to share their experiences in the Bay, thousands of photos have been posted on social media platforms, such as Instagram and Twitter. The campaign grew stronger and social media is still abuzz with images representing authentic experiences showcasing the destinations unique offerings through the eyes of the locals and visitors.

NMBT, in collaboration with Colours of You SA, invites the public to be part of the exhibition and share images on Instagram and/or Twitter, using the hashtags #ShareTheBay and #ColoursofYouSA. Photos should promote Nelson Mandela Bay (adventure, heritage, culture, people, nature and the city) and can be submitted online, on the social media platforms mentioned, up to the 19^th of August.

NMBT, together with other industry professionals, will choose 10 photographers who would be granted the incredible opportunity to showcase a selection of their work at the Athenaeum in Port Elizabeth during the month of September.  The photographs at the exhibition will be open to the public for viewing during the month of September and they will also be up for sale. A percentage of the proceeds will go towards Umzobo Wam, a local non-profit initiative that supports South African children in sharing stories of township life through art and photography.

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, Chief Executive Officer, Ms Mandlakazi Skefile shares, “Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s strategy is to increase digital marketing streams whilst incorporating authentic experiences of visitors and locals has been a great success so far and we are excited to share the outcome through an exhibition during Tourism Month. The initiative will not only showcase amazing images but would also have achieved its goals to reach a global market, create local ambassadors and also uplift industry stakeholders and the creative arts within our destination.”

On the 22^nd of August 2016 NMBT will announce the selected 10 exhibitioners who will have the opportunity to #ShareTheBay with visitors, stakeholders, industry professionals and tourism officials at the Athenaeum for the month of September.

NMBT and Colours of You SA extend the opportunity to be part of the exhibition to everyone as hundreds of smaller prints under the #ShareTheBay and #ColoursofYouSA hashtags will be on display and up for sale as well. NMBT invites the public to come and view their images, order one or more in the desired size and style and contribute to a local, non-profit, Umzobo Wam.

Apart from the month-long exhibition in September during tourism month, NMBT will also assist, host and organise a variety of activations such as sporting events and traditional media campaigns. A great number of these events will be digitally-orientated to uplift, create awareness and give the industry the tools to harness the digital media space and opportunities. Locals, stakeholders and visitors can look forward to a Heritage Day Instameet, a social media workshop for stakeholders and an EC blogger networking event.

NMBT, alongside Colours of You SA, invite the public to be proud of Nelson Mandela Bay, to be part of Tourism Month 2016 and to share the Bay through their lens.

Submit your photos on Instagram and Twitter using the hashtags #ShareTheBay and #ColoursofYouSA until the 19^th of August.