Beach-to-Berg Development Plan Presented by Dr Merida Roets
The following strategic documents were consulted: • Alfred Nzo Tourism Sector Plan. (2012). Final Consolidated Report. October 2012. Alfred Nzo District Municipality. • Draft National Responsible Tourism Strategy, Version 5. Five Year Plan 2012 – 2016. National Department of Tourism, March 2012. • Department of Tourism. (NDT). (2011). National Tourism Sector Strategy. Pretoria: Department of Tourism. • Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs. (2008) Provincial Tourism Master Plan. Eastern Cape Province. • Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Park: uKhahlamba Drakensberg park World Heritage Site / Sehlabathebe National Park: Joint Management Plan Version 1.1 (2012), Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Programme. • Matatiele Local Municipality. (2014) Matatiele Tourism Sector Plan (2014 – 2018). Matatiele Local Municipality. • Mbizana Local Municipality. (2011). Tourism Development Framework for Mbizana Local Municipality. Mbizana Local Municipality. • Umzimvubu Local Municipality. (2011). Five year Tourism Strategic Plan (2011 – 2016). Responsible Tourism Sector Plan (Final Draft). Umzimvubu Local Municipality.
Promote rural tourism Utilise the unique assets, basic resources and characteristics of the region Have a high level of local participation in decision-making and enterprises Apply Sustainable and Responsible Tourism principles Be Pro-Poor in its design Be private sector driven (product owners) Look to the Government to provide an enabling framework (this development) Promote its open space Encourage contact with nature and the natural world Highlight its heritage Present its traditional societies and traditional practices
• Membership of a local community tourism organisation • Inclusion into regional or provincial marketing campaigns • Representation on Local Government Local Economic Development fora • Access to small-business services such as accounting, marketing, branding and training (such as provided by SEDA). • Exposure to quality enhancement services such as the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa. These arrangements are mentioned in several of the strategy documents and are emphasised in the action plans at local municipality level. However, a further suggestion is made: That of route development (Mentioned in NTSS and National Responsible Tourism Strategy). (Drawn from strategy documents) Route development is gaining acceptance as a LED institutional arrangement worth pursuing…”Route identification and development are practical growth strategies for raising the profile of an area. That, coupled with good signage, has potential to increase tourist volumes into an area, thus increasing the benefits for the stakeholder communities”….( ANDM Tourism Sector Plan, 2012).
To diffuse visitors throughout the region To bring lesser known attractions and features to the attention of visitors To increase the appeal of the destination To increase length of stay and spending To attract new tourists and attract repeat visitors To increase the sustainability of tourism in the area
Enterprise development – increasing demand for goods and services of the poor Employment and income opportunities Collective income Capacity building Infrastructure development These benefits can be enhanced by “Route Services” such as: Negotiated price reductions with input provision suppliers (soaps, linen, vegetables) A fixed base-price for a group of activities, tours, services along the route, a centralised payment (Tourism which facility (for clients), timely re-imbursement for provides net services (to product owners), possibly bonuses and benefits for poor penalties for adherence to agreed quality standards people) and customer feedback. Group access to finance, collective grant applications – Increased bargaining power. Benefits of a shared “brand” Group technical and marketing support, training programmes and exposure throughout the route
• Cooperation networks, regional thinking and leadership • Product development, infrastructure and access (Keeping a theme and the target market in mind.) • Community participation, micro-enterprise development and innovation (Participatory product and event identification, the identification of enterprise opportunities, and fresh perspectives on what is marketable about the region can add immense value to route development and ensure an authentic tourism experience that is supported by all involved.) • Information and promotion (Creating awareness of something new and niche to a cluttered market.) • An explicit pro-poor focus (Direct employment opportunities, identified enterprise opportunities, communal income, targeted skills development, preferential procurement.)
• A move away from standardised mass tourism to more individualistic tourism with flexibility • Ecological interest • Adventure • Cultural interest • Peace and quiet
• Participatory workshops were held in each Local Municipal Region • Role-players included Local Municipality LED officers, product owners and community members interested in tourism • Resource people included Scientific Roets, Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme and the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa • Each workshop was well attended and enthusiasm was high • At each location group work identified 4 “magnets” – places of interest (either geographic, environmental, cultural or product) • Noteworthy events were also added to the mix • Groups presented their ideas in plenary and each idea was discussed in depth • From the presentation 4 “magnets” and at least 2 events were chosen • These “magnets” were then “un - packed”, “re - packaged” and presented to the group for their consideration • The group agreed to 4 final “products” for each local municipal
• Site visits were conducted to each of the 4 places identified through each of the participatory workshops • Role-players included Local Municipality LED officers and sometimes community members or traditional leaders or ward councillors interested in the initiative • Each site was visited and an infrastructure, location, accessibility and potential assessment was done • Discussions were held with product owners or community members where available • Photos were taken • GPS co-ordinates were taken and mapped • Travelling with the LED officers allowed discussion of each possibility and further information gathering and exchange • The overall impression of the products and opportunities for the route was ……………..“AWESOME”!!!!
Cultural Scientific Elements of the Beach- to-Berg Route Environmental Historical
• There are several potential “gateways” to the route • N2 from Mthatha – entering at Mt Frere • N2 from Wild-Coast Casino – entering at Mbizana • N2 from Kokstad – entering Mt Ayliff • R56 from Maclear – entering Matatiele • T19 from Flagstaff – entering Lalashe
Matatiele Local Municipality
Matatiele Local Municipality Products • Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve • Accommodation • Horse riding • Hiking • Queen’s Mercy Cultural Village • Multi-cultural history of the area (Griquas, Xhosa, Phuti, Sesotho, Hlubi, European) • Traditional court • Meteorite? • Mariazel Mission • History • Architecture and gardens • Mehloding Hiking Trail • Hiking and horse riding • Mountain Lake • Fishing • Geography of the place
Umzimvubu Local Municipality
Umzimvubu Local Municipality Products • Mkhobeni Forest • Used by local Traditional healers for medicines • AmaBhaca Craft • Can serve as gateway centre • Umzimvubu River • Large Ecosystem services significance • Madzikane Monument • Historically strong • Ntenetyana Dam • Still to be developed • Lady Kok • Earthquake epicentre • Virginity Ceremony • Scope for women-oriented tour
Ntabankulu Local Municipality
Ntabankulu Local Municipality Products • Lalashe Horse-shoe bend • Important scenically • Umgomo Forest • Plant, tree and bird life • Ntabankulu July • Once per year • Pondo Festival • Once per year • Open up to international and urban visitors • Diko’s Monument and Gorge • Historical • Ntabankulu Art and Crafts Centre • Can serve as gateway centre
Mbizana Local Municipality
Mbizana Local Municipality Products • Mzamba and Umthentu Beaches • Walking trails • Horse-riding trails • Canoeing • Paddle boats • Film spot for local and international movies • Waterfalls • Camping facilities • OR Tambo Garden of Remembrance • Monument – National heritage site • Part of larger OR Tambo Heritage Trail • Cultural Village • Can serve as gateway • Mthamvuna Nature Reserve and Lodge • Tented camps • Small conference facilities • Canoeing and nature experience
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