CEO, MS MANDLAKAZI SKEFILE - FESTIVE SEASON MESSAGE

Ms Mandlakazi Skefile, Chief Executive Officer of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism

The festive season has arrived and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) is ready to extend a warm welcome to visitors who descend upon our destination. With an exciting line-up of events and a long list of attractions and activities to explore one cannot be disappointed after spending the festive season in Nelson Mandela Bay whether you are local or a visitor.

Full programmes of events are available on the Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism web - site www.nmbt.co.za or you are welcome to visit any of the NMBT Visitor Information Centres who can assist with programmes. Some of the major events include Uncle Jumbo’s Christmas Parties from the 2- 13 December, the annual Opening of the Season Celebration Concert and fireworks on the 16 December at the Shark Rock Pier, Hugh Masekela Live on the 18 December, Ebubeleni Music Festival on the 27 December and a variety of New Year’s Eve parties to name a few.

The Visitor Information Centres are ready and waiting to assist with a variety of tourism queries and bookings. Should you be more interested in experiencing the destination’s hidden gems than attending events the offices will be ready with Nelson Mandela Bay Passes for you to purchase. The Nelson Mandela Bay Pass allows you free and discounted entry into a variety of attractions and activities in and around the Bay. These include surf lessons, snorkelling, scuba diving, entry to game reserves, touch farms and even some adrenalin activities such as sand boarding and zip lining. Visit www.nelsonmandelabaypass.co.za to peruse the variety of activities available with the NMB Pass.

Amidst the challenges that have confronted the tourism industry such as the economic challenges, visa regulation laws, Ebola virus misconceptions fish farm debates and more, NMBT has sustained tourism marketing initiatives and supported stakeholders to position the destination as a major leisure and business destination. One of the many benefits to our unique destination is that we have been fortunate to harness the benefits from the “bleisure” industry which are travellers who travel with the purpose of business whilst extending the stay to experience the leisure elements of a destination.

To get all even more excited, NMBT launched an innovative campaign called, "Share The Bay" on social media platforms. The campaign invites visitors and residents of Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage, Despatch and Colchester to share their summer experience. The campaign will run over two months and includes a competition, with fortnightly winners being announced and featured on various digital marketing platforms.

The aim is to continuously instil a sense of pride in our city and to highlight the many positive and fun aspects of life in this wonderful destination, especially the hidden gems all around the Bay.  Residents and visitors are encouraged to capture and share their experiences of life in the Bay by using the hashtags #ShareTheBay and #MyNelsonMandelaBay and uploading their images or short videos on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. To find out how to participate visit www.nmbt.co.za

As the festive season arrives, NMBT works closely with safety and security departments to ensure measures have been implemented to keep all citizens and visitor’s as safe as possible. Tourism has joined forces with various departments of the municipality, the South African Police Force and Traffic and Security who will not tolerate drinking and driving and have increased patrols in high activity areas. Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism wishes all a great festive season in a responsible manner. Lifeguards, NSRI and all emergency services are on high alert and ready to serve should any unforeseen circumstances occur.

Nelson Mandela Bay has miles of golden beaches to enjoy in the summer season. Blue Flag status has been awarded to three beaches in Nelson Mandela Bay (NMB) by the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa (WESSA) for the Blue Flag season of 2015/2016. Humewood, Hobie and Kings Beach will be boasting the internationally recognised accreditation. The Blue Flag status affords all beach goers locally and from abroad the assurance that best principles are practised in our destination and their safety and well-being is of our concern as they enjoy the sun and surf environment.

We wish all visitors an energizing and safe stay and encourage all locals to show off our fabulous destination to friends and family. The Visitor Information Centres that are situated at the Port Elizabeth international Airport, The Donkin Reserve, The Boardwalk entertainment Complex and the Uitenhage Science and Technology Centre will be on hand to assist.

This festive season is a busy time in the area but if each one remains considerate and courteous both in the shops and especially on roads then everyone can have an enjoyable and relaxed time.