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Author: Marlene Nqumse

10 April 2024 Media Release:  Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism showcases Region’s vibrant offerings at World Travel Market Africa 2024

Media Release:  Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism showcases Region’s vibrant offerings at World Travel Market Africa 2024

For Immediate Release
10 April 2024

The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), responsible for tourism marketing and development, proudly announces its participation in the upcoming World Travel Market Africa 2024 (WTM Africa 2024), scheduled to take place from 10 April to 12 April 2024. As a vital opportunity to position the region on the global stage of travel and tourism, the Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism office will showcase the diverse and enchanting offerings of the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.

WTM Africa, a renowned event within the travel industry, gathers over 6000 professionals annually to explore the latest trends and opportunities in both inbound and outbound African travel markets. This year, the physical event promises pre-arranged meetings, buyer speed networking sessions, and an extensive conference program, providing an ideal platform for Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism to connect with industry stakeholders.

Recognising the significance of this opportunity, Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism has secured a prominent 90m2 exhibition space, the largest in the region’s history, to highlight the collective offerings of the region. The platform will feature not only the regional tourism office but also local tourism offices and their respective products, all under the banner of Garden Route & Klein Karoo.

Participating alongside Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism are 19 entities, including 6 local tourism offices and 13 products showcasing the region’s rich cultural heritage, natural wonders, and unique experiences. Among them, three products have benefited from the GRDM SMME Support & Development program, underscoring the region’s commitment to nurturing sustainable tourism growth and supporting local businesses.

Tourism employees and product owners promoting and selling Klein Karoo and Garden Route attractions and offerings.

The others products are:

Plett Tourism                                

  • Crags Country Lodge
  • Offshore adventures
  • SASSA

Visit Knysna                                      

  • Lithemba Crafts & Tours
  • Vuka Ukhanye Tours

George, Wilderness & Uniondale  

  • Redberry Farm
  • Hawthorn Boutique Hotel
  • Explore our Hood

Oudtshoorn & de Rust Tourism       

  • Cango Caves
  • Surval Boutique Olice estate
  • Swartberg Experience & Kobus se Gat

Explorer’s Garden Route – Hessequa Tourism

Mossel Bay Tourism                         

  • Cape Saint Blaze Artisanal Distillery
  • Eight Bells Mountain Inn

“We are thrilled to represent the Garden Route and Klein Karoo region at WTM Africa 2024,” said Denver Garden Route Johnson, GRDM Tourism Officer. “This platform not only allows us to showcase our breathtaking landscapes and diverse attractions but also highlights our dedication to supporting local businesses and promoting responsible tourism practices.”

Visitors to the Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism stand can expect to discover a wide array of experiences, from thrilling adventures to tranquil escapes, all nestled within the natural beauty of the region. With a focus on forging valuable connections and fostering collaborations, the team is eager to engage with tour operators, travel agents, and travel writers to drive more tourism to the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.

Did you know?

World Travel Market Africa delivers the leading global events for the travel industry. One of six shows in the WTM portfolio, the Africa show was launched in 2014 under the Africa Travel Week umbrella to bring the benefits and opportunities of the global industry expertise to travel professionals in South Africa. Traditionally taking place in Cape Town, South Africa, joined by over 6000 travel industry professionals who attend Africa’s leading and only business to business (B2B) exhibition for both the inbound and outbound African travel and tourism markets.

The Garden Route & Klein Karoo Tourism office coordinated the platform for the region. Local Tourism Offices in the region and their products will have the opportunity to exhibit with the regional tourism office on the collective stand under the banner of Garden Route & Klein Karoo.

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03 April 2024 Draft 2024-2025 Integrated Development Plan (IDP), Draft 2024/2025 Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework and Multi-Year Budget

DRAFT 2024-2025 INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT PLAN (IDP), DRAFT 2024/2025 MEDIUM TERM REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE FRAMEWORK AND MULTI-YEAR BUDGET

Open for Comment

Notice is hereby given that the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Integrated Development Plan for the 2024/2025 financial year and the Medium Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework (MTREF) Draft Multi-Year Budget for the period 2024/2025-2026/2027, were compiled in accordance with the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 2000 (Act 32 of 2000) and Municipal Finance Management Act 2003 (Act 56 of 2003).

These documents were considered by the Garden Route District Council at a District Council meeting held on Wednesday, 27 March 2024.

These documents will be available for public inspection and comments at all main local libraries, satellite offices and the Garden Route District Municipality’s IDP Unit, 54 York Street George and on the GRDM municipal website www.gardenroute.gov.za.

All comments and inputs must be directed to “The Municipal Manager, Garden Route District Municipality, 54 York Street, George 6530”,  rekords@gardenroute.gov.za

Persons who are unable to read or write are encouraged to contact the Garden Route District Municipality during ordinary office hours, where they will be assisted to formulate their written comments or objection.

Written comments and inputs regarding the above documents must reach the Office of the Municipal Manager on or before 30 April 2024.

Please contact the District IDP Manager (Mrs Mercy James) or Budget Manager (Ms Louise Hoek) at 044 803 1300, rekords@gardenroute.gov.za with any enquiries.

Click here to download the Garden Route District Municipal Council’s Draft Amended IDP

M STRATU
Municipal Manager
Garden Route District Municipality

28 March 2024 Notice of a MPAC Meeting on 03 April 2024 at 14:00

Notice of a MPAC Meeting on 03 April 2024 at 14:00

Notice number: 36/2024

Notice is hereby given that an MPAC MEETING of the Garden Route District Municipality will be held at the Joint Operations Centre (JOC) Committee Room, and via Zoom, 54 York Street, George, on 03 April 2024 at 14:00.

MG Stratu
Municipal Manager
54 York Street
P.O Box 12
GEORGE
6530

CLICK HERE to open the official notice

22 March 2024 Media Release: Empowering Communities through Waste Management: A Celebration of Global Recycling Day

Media Release: Empowering Communities through Waste Management: A Celebration of Global Recycling Day

For Immediate Release
22 March 2024

In honour of Global Recycling Day, on Monday, 18 March 2024, the Waste Management Section of the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM), in collaboration with Mossel Bay Municipality, arranged a Global Recycling Day: Handover Waste Characterisation event. This gathering not only celebrated the ethos of recycling but also recognised the diligent efforts of participants involved in the GRDM Waste Characterisation Project in Mossel Bay over the past months.

Nombuyiselo Majola, the representative of Mossel Bay Municipality, commended the participants for their commitment to the ‘War on Waste,’ acknowledging the challenges they faced in sorting through waste yet determined with unwavering dedication. “You took bags with waste, went through it; came across things that are smelly and not pleasant, but still you did not miss a day,” she said.

Following Majola’s address, Johan Gie, the GRDM Waste Manager, echoed into the significance of the Waste Characterisation Project and the invaluable contributions of the participants. He highlighted the importance of understanding waste composition in effective waste management strategies, emphasising that “a person cannot manage something if there isn’t knowledge of what is being managed.” Gie expressed gratitude to the participants for their role in providing essential data for informed decision-making regarding waste management initiatives.

During his presentation, Gie showed interesting insights collected from the project, such as the difference in waste composition between different socio-economic areas. He explained how the data collected, influenced strategic planning, such as implementing composting and recycling initiatives based on waste patterns observed in the different neighbourhoods through the study. “Because of the similar studies, we found a lot of organic waste came out of the lower-income areas, explaining that people who earn less, peel their own potatoes and vegetables and in general end-up with a lot of peels and organic waste. In contrast, where people in high-income areas reside, we saw that they tend to buy packets that’s already peeled and cut, which results in a lot of packaging waste” said Gie.

The event also featured a message of support from Charlotta Lamprecht, CEO of Henque Waste, situated in Mossel Bay. She shared the remarkable work her company does in recycling and waste management, inspiring the audience with tales of environmental ownership and community empowerment.  “I always tell people, we are working with waste, but we are not waste. We are proud of what we are doing; we are not stealing and we are not begging; we are working hard. Even though it is sometimes smelly and not good,” she said. Her message was powerfully driven with – if you throw-away you trash, it does not disappear, but it is where people like them comes in.

Participants of the Waste Characterisation Project, like Chriswell Sandile Nongezana and Monwabisi Matthews Sigxavu, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn and contribute to waste management efforts. “With what we have learn here, we can now teach our children and families at home on how to separate waste and how to practise recycle,” Monwabisi Matthews Sigxavu said

As a token of appreciation, all participants received certificates recognising their invaluable contributions, symbolising their role as champions in the ongoing battle against waste.

The Global Recycling Day: Handover Waste Characterisation event served as a emotional reminder of the collective responsibility we bear towards safeguarding our environment. Through community engagement, education, and strategic initiatives, the Garden Route District Municipality and Mossel Bay Municipality are paving the way towards a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.

The Programme was directed by Innocentia Sikweyiya, GRDM District Waste Management Officer who also coordinated the project.

Featured image caption: Participants and stakeholders of the Mossel Bay Municipality Waste Characterisation Project.

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