Romy takes hotseat at Sapphire Coast Tourism
The hospitality industry is great to be involved in, although it can be very tough dealing with people’s demands.
Sapphire Coast Tourism (SCT) has a new chairman in Romy Wentzel (33).
“I am proud, nervous and concerned about being selected as chairman, as it takes up a lot of time to serve on the committee, attend meetings and be in the public’s face,” said Romy.
“As we are all volunteers, none of us get paid to serve on the committee and sadly, we are often hit with negative comments from the public who do not appreciate the work we do for the area and community.
SCT plans to make the December activations bigger and better this year, and Romy calls for support from local companies to become part of it by providing vouchers and prizes. “Perhaps even rent the beach for exhibition space during the busy holiday season – it’s great exposure.”
Other projects in the pipeline include:
* Permanent flag poles installed at Toti Main Beach, Baggies, Winkle Beach and Umkomaas, and Amanzimtoti Sports Centre (ASC).
* The verge competition, where SCT has partnered with the SUN and Illovo Nursery, and which runs until 15 November.
* The re-painting of SCT bridges. “Hopefully adding some murals here and there. We are looking for high schools to come on board to get local talent participating in making our area look more attractive and in the theme of becoming an SCT ambassador.”
* Launching a bird route.
* Assisting the ASC with signage for the Ilanda Wild trails.
* The Green Corridor Project to promote rural tourism.
READ ALSO: Holidaymakers and locals soak up Amanzimtoti’s beauty
Romy was born in Oschatz, East Germany and was one of many German citizens who experienced the fall of the Berlin Wall, which for 30 years separated families and kept people from jobs and opportunity in the West.
She attended school in her home town and decided to explore South Africa by signing up for volunteer work in 2004.
She spent three months at Monkeyland Primate Sanctuary near Plettenberg Bay, then decided to travel and explore the country, seeing places like the Garden Route, Cape Town, Kimberley, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Drakensberg, Sodwana Bay and St Lucia, and neighbouring Lesotho and Swaziland, before settling in ‘the warmest place to be’ – Durban.
“I have lived in Warner Beach since June 2005 and still love it. I work at Blue Sky Mining Backpackers and Lodge, taking care of the day-to-day running of the business.
The hospitality industry is great to be involved in, as I meet people from all countries, religions and races. However, it can be very tough dealing with people’s demands.
I love jogging on the beach and swimming at Winkle Rocks. I used to play volleyball a lot in Germany, but the sport does not seem that popular in the area.”
Romy became an SCT committee member in August 2005, with a focus on beaches and the subway upgrade.
In 2016/17 she was nominated as vice-chairman to focus on branding to promote the area. “Sadly some event organisers do not understand the function of SCT, as it has often resulted in disagreements,” said Romy. “SCT is supposed to promote the area, not be in competition with any company or event organiser.”
READ ALSO: Eco-route tour launched
The benefits of becoming a SCT member:
* Businesses get to display their brochures in the tourist information bureau.
* They can market their promotions through Durban Tourism.
* They receive regular correspondence on what’s happening in the tourism corridors.
* When the tourism office receives enquiries from domestic, international and local residents, members’ business and contact details will be supplied to them from a standard alphabetic listing.
* SCT members are listed on the SCT and Durban Tourism websites and Facebook pages; in the Sapphire Coast Visitor’s Guide and on the Sapphire Coast map directional boards.
* SCT facilitates general networking and overflow opportunities among all stakeholders.
* Establishments can apply to eThekwini rates for an annual refund of up to 50%.
* SCT membership permits mandatory application to the KZN Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs for Tourism KZN (TKZN) membership, which allows their business to be graded through the Tourism Grading Council of SA, and allows signage along provincial routes for graded establishments.
