RAINBOW painted stairs, mural walls and bridges painted ocean-blue catch one’s eye when passing through Amanzimtoti, and these are the result of a never-ending beautification campaign spearheaded by Sapphire Coast Tourism.
The town’s tourism organisation shared details about its progress and projects with the community.
“Sapphire Coast Tourism continues to market our region’s brand in a hue of sea blue locally, collaborating with eco-conscious movements, motivating for and supporting regular public clean up campaigns,” said chairman, Romy Wenzel.
“Our bridges, walls, stairwells and substations are looking brilliant while our magnificent beaches, parks and rivers get their regular make-overs, shimmering out welcome motions for all to come on down to enjoy. This is a testament to the relentless desire of community volunteers to facilitate marketing our Sapphire Coast as a region of interesting, eco-friendly and safe towns which exceed the expectation of national and international visitors.”
Read about Senzo the artist here: Amanzimtoti’s Senzo is painting the coast more than blue
The organisation’s ‘Painting the Sapphire Coast Blue’ project is steadily spreading through the greater Amanzimtoti area.
“We are currently touching up the parkrun turn-around point near the Christmas tree area along the Toti Promenade and are looking for any volunteers or businesses to get involved in beautifying the grass area. It would be amazing to create a rock garden and possibly paint murals within the circle area, preferably completed before the December holidays,” said Romy.
“Senzo Ngcobo recently painted the walls and staircases at Link Road, Kritzinger steps and Jacobs Ladder with sapphire blue and rainbow colours. With loads of positive feedback received from local residents, businesses and holidaymakers, the project has been a success.” Romy confirmed the painting will continue.
The tourism chairman further explained that funding comes from the organisation’s members, who account for less than 10% of the potential tourism products numbers available in the region, despite all benefiting equally.
“For instance, in Beach Road Toti alone, only 67 of the 650 plus apartments currently share our vision. Imagine the potential if everyone along our Sapphire Coast was on board,” said Romy.
“There’s Athlone Park, Toti, Doonside, Warner Beach, Winkelspruit, Illovo, Umgababa, Umkomaas and Clansthal, incorporating our inland triangle of KwaMakhutha up through to Umbumbulu and down to Mnini.”
Sapphire Coast Tourism’s vision is to develop an economically viable region that encompasses a proud multi-cultural and patriotic community, which is supportive of everything clean and protected for all to enjoy.
“We appeal to every lessee selling beds on a short term basis, together with all tourism service products to join the Sapphire Coast brand. This includes holiday letting clients, private home-stays, self-catering units, hotels, caravan parks, bed and breakfasts, game parks – in fact, anyone selling a bed,” explained Romy.
“We are a non profit organisation building a brand that affects every citizen in our region, from property valuations to job creation, through hosting every type of tourist in a clean and safe environment, be it visiting families, corporates, birders, divers, health, sports, students, backpackers, honeymooners to pensioners.
Our city bylaws facilitate private home-stays under four bedrooms, hosting a tourist within their household (sharing their kitchen, dining and bathroom with the family) to join tourism. No accommodation license is required, but mandatory health and safety inspections, with public liability insurance does apply. This is a great opportunity for ’empty nesters’ to enjoy an extra income while your visitor enjoys awesome family-style hospitality.
The same conditions apply to self-catering units which fall under a body corporate. No accommodation license is required, but mandatory health and safety inspections with public liability insurance apply.
For residential properties which market self-catering facilities or dinner, bed and breakfast, are required by national, provincial and municipal law to operate with an accommodation license. Application is made through business licensing unit at the Sizakala Centre in Winklespruit. This entails municipal planning permission and your neighbours’ consent to trade as a respected and responsible, fully compliant accommodation service provider.”
Romy explained that the city rewards accommodation licensed establishments registered with Sapphire Coast Tourism with a rates rebate.
“For up to five rooms, one can claim back 50% of their rates while six to 10 rooms means you can claim back 25% of rates. This however, does not apply to establishments with additional businesses operating on their premises, such as conference facilities, public restaurants, hairdressers and spas,” she clarified.
If you fall into any of the above categories and want to contribute to the proud Sapphire Coast brand, we look forward to your support to facilitate upping our game.
To be a member of this winning formula, contact the Sapphire Coast Tourism office on 031-322-4173/2852 or info@sapphirecoasttourism.co.za.
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