Gearing up for summer season

WHILE most rush to get work finished so they can go on holiday, the tourism industry is working flat out to prepare for its busiest time of the year.

“We are very excited to get this Summer Season on the go. Even amidst an economy that has affected everyone, we still have so much to offer holiday goers without breaking the bank. The city also has many bumper events scheduled and new attractions in store this year,” said NMBT marketing manager, Titus Chuene.

Even with recent storms still fresh in everyone’s memory, Chuene has full confidence the beaches will be ready for enthused visitors to enjoy, “NMBT has taken every challenge head-on. Budget cuts being a common thing for many this year, has also put pressure on us to be more creative in marketing the city. The key is to work with what you’ve got and Nelson Mandela Bay has plenty!”

Among the new attractions are Pine Lodge’s Zip lines where visitors can slide on a suspended rope while taking in beautiful scenery. Also new in the city is the opening of the new Boardwalk hotel and entertainment centre packed with new products, restaurants and attractions like the water feature that will delight with orchestra performances.

NMB has a full summer program lined up which includes some big events, such as the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens series and the national Ebuboleni arts festival with great outdoor music featuring the Parlotones, Toya and MiCasa to name a few. International artists like Joe Cocker and Jonathan Butler are also entertaining the city this December.

NMBT along with Mango airlines will attempt to build the biggest ever sand castle in the world, “It’s also our way of celebrating that Mango will now be flying to and from the city for the first time, improving accessibility to the city through airlift. I am thrilled that we are teaming up with Mango, it’s going to be a blast building a sand castle,” Chuene added enthusiastically.

NMBT always has great offers for its visitors and locals to take advantage of; this Summer Season will be no different. “NMBT has re-launched our pass for the festive season. It has an array of discounts and free entrances to many of NMB’s attractions and is very flexible to suit every type of traveller.”

NMBT’s Pinterest page (pinterest.com/nmandelabay) is lined with special deals for anyone who subscribes to it, “We have decided to go digital again, using the power of instant media and communication through social networks to promote Summer Season. This way NMBT widens the net for more visitors to experience and receive more than they bargained for.”

Summer Season is not only about exposing the city to visitors and sharing holiday memories, it is an important service to people’s mental well-being according to Dr. Louise Punt-Fouche, “It is crucial that we have holidays and a beach holiday is perhaps one of the best options. The ocean is calming and sand symbolises perspective, which is much needed after a year’s hard work.”

A clinical psychologist for over 28 yrs, Punt-Fouche believes a holiday is non-negotiable and it is essential to take out time to be ‘quiet’, “Holidays are a way of finding the balance between a stressful life and rest again, de-grouping in order to grow and carry on. A holiday in the Bay is just the sort of thing that could achieve this!”