THE VRYHEID Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) is committed improving its digital footprint.
The subject of online exposure was broached by marketing manager for the N3 Gateway on Tourism Routes Association, Lori Voss, who offered her perspective on where Vryheid stands in terms of a social media presence.
An expert on tourism, Lori was the guest speaker at this year’s annual general meeting (AGM), where she shared some knowledge that she hoped would improve tourism to Vryheid.
“You can look into starting blog posts, and being more active on Instagram and Facebook, as that is where people are looking for their next holiday destination,” Lori encouraged.
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The AGM was well attended by stakeholders, as it is every year, but, this year, it took place at a different local venue.
This year’s venue was the Muloro Hotel (formerly known as Stilwater hotel), and AbaQulusi’s deputy mayor, Cllr Mncedisi Maphisa, who attended on behalf of mayor, Jerry Sibiya, welcomed the guests.
Cllr Maphisa thanked all the stakeholders for their tireless commitment towards ensuring that Vryheid’s tourism continues to thrive.
“We acknowledge the work you are doing and are grateful to be working with you. I admit that not enough effort has been put into tourism by us as a municipality, but promise to do my best to ensure that this is improved going forward,” he said.
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The organisation’s treasurer, Annalize Vorster, went through the financial statements and concluded that the financial situation is pretty sound at present. She expressed the hope that it would stay that way.
Chairman, Gustav Röhrs, reported that he had been happy with the speed at which the Vryheid CTO was operating within the past financial year.
“An active tourism committee has been meeting, planning and marketing our local products, attractions and events in and around Vryheid,” he said.
Mr Röhrs also mentioned that visitors from near and far are calling in at the Information Office on a regular basis.
“The most regular of these visiting groups were school groups that were run extremely well under the most professional management of the previous tourism officer, Alet Swanepoel,” he said, adding that he was happy about how things have gone so far and that he hoped the Vryheid CTO would continue to work well with the community so they may continue to uphold the ‘Siyaphambili’ (we are going forward) drive in all local tourism efforts.
In light of all that had been said about her, former Tourism Officer, Alet Swanepoel, was nominated as an honorary member of the CTO.
Stakeholders were given the opportunity to elect office bearers for the coming financial year and they elected: Gustav Röhrs as the chairman, the deputy chairman is Wilfred Mchunu, the treasurer is Annalize Voster, the auditor will be Burger Rekenmeesters.
Additional members are: A van Wyk, J Kruger, T Yaka, C Swanepoel, D Grobler, C Barnard, Z Zwane, N Delvilani and S Derby.
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