Paarl Tourism ready for soccer
2010-06-04
"WITH only seven days left to the kick-off of the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup, we are positive about the experience that awaits visitors to our town,” says Isabeau Botha, recently appointed chairperson of Paarl Tourism.
The private tourism organisation, representing 105 tourism related businesses ranging from tour guides and guest-houses to museums and restaurants, is realigning to take on challenges arising from the current tourism environment, including lower than expected visitor numbers for the World Cup. Good news is that a group of 500 Dutch supporters will be occupying the Berg River Resort for the full duration of the World Cup and that several accommodation establishments have been prebooked. “We are currently workings towards a new service level agreement with Drakenstein Municipality and accreditation with Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the official tourism body for the Western Cape. “These matters, including a new fee structure, will be up for discussion at a special general meeting on Thursday 24 June. Paid up members are invited to attend the meeting at 17:30 at Pearl Valley Golf Estate,” says Botha. This month Paarl Tourism launches the Proudly Paarl Ambassador Programme to offer tourism awareness training to a group of nominated client service personnel from across the community. “We would like to go the extra mile to make our town a friendly destination with well informed hosts. The training will include a full day tour of Paarl and surrounding areas. “These informed Paarlites, working at service stations, supermarkets, guest houses, restaurants and local businesses will in future be identified by their “Proudly Paarl Ambassador” badges,” says Botha. Marketing co-ordinator Hybré van Niekerk recently represented the organisation at the Tourism Indaba in Durban, exhibiting together with ten local tourism businesses on Drakenstein Municipality’s stand. Another forthcoming marketing opportunity for members is promoting their busi- nesses at the Gateway Centre in the V&A Waterfront during the World Cup. The organisation recently published a Facebook page, “Paarl rocks!” with information about members’ establishments, events and special offers. “We are inviting every Paarlite to become a fan of “Paarl rocks!” and to use the page keeping everyone in town updated with their good news stories, pictures and reasons why they love Paarl. Please visit Paarl rocks!, become a fan and invite all your friends to become fans too,” says van Niekerk. For membership information, contact Hybré van Niekerk at info@paarlonline.com or on 073-708-2835. To nominate a candidate for the Proudly Paarl Ambassador Programme, contact her by 4 June.
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