Jam-packed 2012 Tourism Month in the Bay

NELSON Mandela Bay residents were encouraged to become tourists in their own city this tourism month that was launched by the city’s tourism authority last week at Red Location Museum in New Brighton.

Events coordinator at Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) Phrosne Phillips said locals could expect an array of activities that would range from festivals and trails to great give-aways on the Kingfisher FM Traveling Tribe promotion.

“Tourism month this year will focus on experiences right here at “home” so that locals can reaffirm why they love Nelson Mandela Bay and be aware of what is on offer to visitors. Our own residents are, after all, our best ambassadors. When it comes to Nelson Mandela Bay, they live here, and we want to remind them of all the “hidden” gems and attractions their city has to offer,” said Phillips.

Included in the host of exciting events is NMBT’s Travel Quest, taking place on 24 September. Travel Quest has been designed in a similar format to the ever popular reality television show, The Amazing Race, and is open to all NMBT members. The aim is to engage in a fun and interactive way with the front line staff of tourism products and those in the service sector that serve tourists, like petrol attendents, and bring them up to date with information about Nelson Mandela Bay.

NMBT has also aggressively promoted its protected areas in and around the city, like Cape Recife Nature Reserve. Tourism month will see NMBT stimulating interest among locals about its collection of guided nature walks, like the Sacramento and the Roseate Tern trail.

There will be events and activities linked to the city’s all-important heritage. Another highlight on 2012 Tourism Month calendar, especially for children, will be a “Night at the Museum” at 7 Castle Hill Museum on 28 September. Residents will also have an opportunity to join NMBT as they tackle the relatively “new” South End Museum Heritage Trail this weekend.

NMBT, Kingfisher FM and The Traveling Tribe have joint hands to promote travel in and around Nelson Mandela Bay this month. "In order to create a ‘Glocalized’ awareness for our beautiful city, both Kingfisher FM and the Traveling Tribe (as multi-media platform and social media partner) see a wonderful opportunity to promote NMB and tourism month – it’s exciting work." said the head of the Traveling Tribe, Theunis Pienaar.

Glocalized tourism refers to a combination of the words ‘globalization’ and ‘localization’ used to describe a product or service that is developed and distributed globally, but is also fashioned to accommodate the user or consumer in a local market, such as Kingfisher FM and the Traveling Tribe.

“The bulk of tourists that visit our city, visit family and friends. What better way to promote the city than re-establishing the locals’ love and appreciation for it, so they can share that love with their visitors. That is why it is so important to turn our residents into ambassadors of Nelson Mandela Bay by becoming tourists themselves this Tourism Month,” said Phillips at the launch.

All the fun and excitement does not stop there. South African National Parks (SANParks) will host a week where South Africans can enter any of their parks free of charge. NMBT will put together a tour for the elderly from Gelvan Park Old Age Home to Addo National Elephant Park.

Other NMBT supported events include Cultural Explosion at the Boardwalk, the Urban Run through the inner city, the Northern Arts Festival and a Sunset Township tour to New Brighton and Zwide by train.

“The Sunset Township tour, one of the highlights on the calendar, includes tshisa nyama (braai) – an experience our suburbanites can definitely not miss out on!”

“Oh, and there is no way we can forget Happy Valley Braai Day on 24 September with Bay TV. Local talent will perform, braai packs and refreshments will be on sale.

“Tourism Month is something South Africa as a country looks forward to annually. It’s a time to explore, enjoy and entertain. This year will be no different,” said Phillips, who also highlighted a Spring Science Fun Day at the Science Centre in Uitenhage on 15 September.

“We are giving you more than 101 reasons to love Nelson Mandela Bay – so lets get out there and share the love,” quipped Phillips.

Download the Tourism Month 2012 Events Calendar.