Tourism barking up the right tree

NELSON Mandela Bay Tourism’s recent Icon campaign and Tag & Win competition has had some unexpected spinoffs – and not just for winners and the local tourism industry – also for city fans of the furrier kind.

The Tag & Win competition’s first major prize was a Yacht Experience on the luxurious Warrior yacht, owned by local philanthropist and businessman Phil Gutsche. Gutsche was adamant that he was not willing to rent his deluxe yacht to NMBT – preferring a donation to go to the cause closest to his heart, the Animal Welfare Society.

Last week NMBT chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile honoured her agreement with Gutsche and presented the Animal Welfare Society with a healthy cheque for R5000.

“It is very important that we look after our city for it to strive and live up to its potential. Not only in terms of our tourist attractions, but also our people and animals who make up the social element of our community. That is why this donation is so important and we are pleased to be part of it,” said Skefile. “Also, Phil’s commitment to the city is enshrined in his philanthropic nature – and this is one example of the good he does.” 

The Animal Welfare Society was ecstatic about the donation. “Running the shelter is expensive. Taking care of stray or unwanted pets becomes costly when there are so many of them,” said Dr. Jeanne Vorsatz, general manager of Animal Welfare.

“They cannot take care of themselves and we are more than happy to look after them, but unfortunately our funds limit us more than we’d like. Donations like this make a huge difference in these animals’ lives.”
 
According to Vorsatz, the donation will be used to fund their vaccination program for the AWS cats, which is one of the many services this non-profit organisation provides for vulnerable animals. Other services include amongst dipping, inoculation, de-worming and sterilisation. “Not to mention loving and caring for lonely unwanted pets,” added Vorsatz, who took over management of the facility earlier this year.

Vorsatz said she has many plans for the shelter, starting with marketing and promoting the worthy organization: “This will hopefully increase adoptions and help in raising more funds. Ultimately we can then upgrade our shelter’s facilities and also continue our sterilization campaign in the neighbouring Walmer Township.”

Collaboration of this nature creates solidarity and a spirit of charity in the city, NMBT believes.

“It is such a great honour that an NMBT campaign could inadvertently have generated a platform for this great deed, showing once more why we are known as the Friendly – and generous – City,” said Skefile.

The Tag & Win competition and Icon campaign runs until June and is promoted on the digital platform. It encourages people to “like” the Nelson Mandela Bay – South Africa Facebook page, after which they will be led through a graphic image featuring a montage of the Top Ten icons and people then tag the icon they love the most and stand a chance of winning awesome prizes – from iPods to weekends away.