Wandisile’s Plett
A blog by Wandisile Sebezo.
Plett Conversations starts on a high note in 2020
At a conference room in one of Plett’s fine hotels, Sky Villa, tongues were wagging and wine glasses were tinkling. The issue? Tourism!
Chairman Bruce Richardson welcomed members and other guests to one of the many programs of the Plett Tourism Association that has come to be known as “Plett Conversations”. It’s really an opportunity for networking. On the grand scale though, the vision is to bring people together, and unite under a common vision in what former Plett Tourism Chairman Peter Wallington used to call “One Plett”.
Last year Plett Tourism hosted Plett Conversations with Andile Khumalo at N2 Lounge in Kwano to talk and inspire young entrepreneurs. Khumalo is an entrepreneur and chartered accountant with almost 20 years of business experience.
The topic of discussion on this year’s Plett Conversation was the tourism strategy for the Garden Route and how the towns in the district work in collaboration. The presentation was made by the manager of economic development and tourism for the Garden Route District Municipality, Melanie Wilson and tourism official, Denver Johnson.
Bitou Municipality was represented by the manager of Local Economic Development Lesley Jacobs, who entertained one of my pet subjects, Township Tourism. Saying that the municipality is for the idea of creating a tourism route in places like Kwano, Kranshoek and Qolweni for example, provided that there’s proper infrastructure and tourism products to sell.
In attendance where about 50 or so locals from the tourism industry, from tour operators to restaurateurs, and marketers from both Plett and Knysna.
The importance of the conversations cannot be stressed any further; not only are they platforms for networking and engaging, but really the idea is to close the gap, especially now that tourism becomes the catalyst in growing our economy and creating jobs.
You really do not want to miss the next “Plett Conversations” which will likely be on the 12th of March where WESGRO will make a presentation.
View the presentation by Garden Route District Municipality’s Melanie Wilson and Denver Johnson here
