A SHORT and extremely positive Ugu South Coast Tourism Margate Area Committee meeting was held at DesRoches Hotel in Margate last Thursday.
Chairman Dereck Hirson explained that the function of an area committee is to provide assistance to Ugu South Coast Tourism through active participation and debate in matters relating to tourism in the Margate area.
Looking back on 2014, Mr Hirson said CemAir had exploded like a volcano and, on most days in December, had had double flights booked daily.
“It is good news as it has been a long hard battle to get an air service back to the area,” he added.
He said the beaches were a favourable destination for sponsors. He was happy to report that 100 percent of the sponsors who attended the 2014 events had booked to participate in the 2015 Summer Festival.
Mr Hirson said that at meetings with Wozani Africa Events it had been discussed that they should try to revive student week in Margate but also take into consideration that there is competition from the North Coast.
“Wozani Africa Events suggests that we now focus on the Afrikaans sector of the market as the Rage festivals have secured the English speaking students,” he said.
Mr Hirson said that New Year’s Eve celebration numbers had grown and that it was a peaceful period with no incidents reported.
He also remarked how the first Flavours Margate Food Festival, hosted by the committee in partnership with Wozani Africa Events, received many compliments, but he was unable to ignore the fact that they also received negative comments.
“The committee felt it was a success and going forward we will have different plans in place but the idea was to start small and then expand,” he said.
Last year’s Easter Festival was well attended.
“Sponsors were thrilled at the turnout and general condition of the beach and have booked to return to Margate for Easter this year,” he said.
Mr Hirson said that on the negative side, they lost two big events due to the poor state of the beaches, the rubbish that was not cleared up and various other faults that didn’t impress the organisers.
Premier event, Africa Bike Week, which takes place at the end of April has an economic value in the region of R110-million with about 490 jobs being created.
“The contract is still in place with an automatic renewal on the cards for both parties, Harley-Davidson South Africa and Hibiscus Coast Municipality (HCM),” he said.
Mr Hirson said that the long awaited Margate urban renewal programme has finally started with many projects being completed such as the 2.5 metre walkway being created from Finis Road up to the pier.
“The tidal pool has been refurbished and the whale viewing deck was completed with an awning to provide cover,” he said.
He thanked HCM for the tarring of the road in Marine Drive before December as it certainly made a huge improvement and for the superb upgrade of the toilets at Margate beach.
“We cannot wait for the toilets at the tidal pool to be upgraded,” he added.
CEO of Ugu South Coast Tourism, Justin Mackrory said one of the many highlights was the clean audit received for 2013/2014. “This was the first in USCT’s history,” he added.
Mr Mackrory said beyond all the seasonal promotions, expos and numerous events planned for the year, tourism looks forward to Margate’s urban renewal programme, the Hinterland development, Sunny and Safe campaign, AC/Tourism community synergy, increased USCT membership from this area and member packages and show attendance. CLICK HERE FOR MORE PHOTOS
