Rose reinstated as tourism chairman
After a unanimous vote at the Umhlanga Tourism annual general meeting Peter Rose was reinstated as chairman of the organisation.
AFTER more than a decade of service, Umhlanga Tourism (UT) chairman, Peter Rose, was once again voted into his top spot. This came after a unanimous vote at the annual general meeting last week.
However, Rose has confirmed that he plans to step down after the two-year tenure.
“I have submitted a notice to the committee that this will be my final term as chairman and that they are required to begin their search for future candidates,” he said.
At the meeting the chairman also provided some feedback regarding the UT’s committee. According to Rose, their efforts have been successful in terms of promoting tourism in the uMhlanga area, despite the fact that membership had remained stagnant and 120 of the 625 tourism businesses that form part of the UT’s membership had not paid their annual subscription fees. The aim was to increase membership to 700 businesses.
Treasurer, Ken Wilkinson, reported that sponsorship had decreased by more than R100 000.
However, the organisation still managed to host several successful events, including the July Winter Festival and the Umhlanga Trail Run, and facilitated their student training initiatives, which provide training in the accommodation and food industries to 60 individuals from disadvantaged communities.
When asked about the low membership and loss of sponsorship, Rose said, “It is a sign regarding the current economy. Everyone is struggling and thus are cutting costs where they can,” he said.
Now Rose has plans to revamp the Umhlanga Tourism Information Centre on Chartwell Drive. “A revamp is long overdue. We plan to paint and re-decorate the office and also to upgrade the equipment and signage,” he said. The office is expected to be closed for several weeks between September and October.
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