Achieving more by working together

Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism’s (NMBT) decision to focus on stakeholder relations and research is starting to pay back dividends.

On December 4 and 5, the organisation participated in a provincial tourism strategy session in East London, organised by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). The delegates applauded NMBT after a presentation on the work the organisation had done, that had resulted in the release of NMBT’s 2011 Annual Tourism Research Report. The presentation also motivated the importance of business tourism.

There was a clear indication from the delegates that it was important to work with NMBT so that other tourism organisations in the province could also measure the work done by sourcing statistics and research. I cited the many major events hosted by NMB, including next year’s South African Association of the Conference Industry’s (SAACI) annual conference and exhibition, as tangible examples of how stakeholder collaboration and the application of statistics and research had contributed towards NMB’s winning bids to host major events. ECPTA will elevate the hosting of SAACI by NMB to the attention of the MEC, so there would be provincial support for the hosting of the SAACI conference and exhibition.

While I attended the strategy session, NMBT board members and staff were busy on the ground at the PE International Airport as co-hosts of Mango Airlines launch to the city. Airline staff and NMBT have formed a working relationship that we believe will benefit both parties and, more importantly, the tourism industry and people of NMB.

Of course, summer in NMB wouldn’t be summer without celebration, good wishes and the city’s hosting of the traditional summer season campaign. While NMBT has worked tirelessly with its members developing holiday deals, so that the city could offer a great deal more this summer, the event unit of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality launched its summer season programme.

Given the summer season line-up that includes internationally renowned entertainer, Jonathan Butler, set to perform at the Boardwalk on 20 December, the fact that interest rates have remained the same, the price of petrol dropped, the N2 has been repaired and the Boardwalk is set to open its new conference centre, NMB is in for a bumper summer season.

There is not much left for me to say in this, 2012’s final Imvaba, other than to wish all members, stakeholders and readers a blessed festive season and all the best in the coming year.

CEO
Mandlakazi Skefile