Tourism association homeless
2005-06-23
AFTER three decades Paarl Tourism Association no longer has a home.
From 1 July, the staff of the bureau work exclusively for the municipality and may no longer be directly involved with members of the Association.
The Mayoral Council has voted to end the public/private partnership which previously existed, on the advice of ANC deputy mayor Anthea Sheldon.
The staff will now become municipal employees with a contract of one year, after which their status will be reviewed.
The only member of the Mayoral Council to vote against the decision, was André de Villiers (NNP).
According to de Villiers the operation of the bureau should not change, as it is imperative that Paarl be marketed as a separate brand from Wellington and the rest of Drakenstein.
Although members of the Paarl Tourism Association may continue to exhibit their brochures at the bureau, the employees will focus only on generic promotion of Drakenstein as a whole.
At a special members’ meeting of Paarl Tourism held on 8 June, members decided not to disband, but to continue with the Association, its website, brochures and other marketing services to members.
According to chairman Gerard Frater they are currently negotiating for new premises to serve the members and visitors to Paarl.
“We need to continue to promote the town of Paarl as a tourism and business hub and to contribute to the economic growth of all sectors of the community.”
The Wellington Tourism Association is in a different boat. They will continue their activities at their bureau, as they have a contract with the Municipality which runs for another ten years.
Said chairperson Flip Viviers this week: “The tourism bureau is centrally located and there is no way the Association is going to move.
“However, long time stalwart Melinda van der Merwe has decided to retire, rather than take up a one year contract post with the Municipality.
“We are sad to lose her expertise after her many years of service to Wellington.
“I think the Council was over-impulsive in its decision to axe the private sector from the bureau offices.”
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