March 2008

News from the Board

The Board met in February after the Christmas holidays and discussed the general state of local tourism.  “Could have been a lot better”, just about covered it.  Although BCT recorded 3000 visitors during December, it seems quite a few did not stay overnight.  Then I heard someone say, “If we don’t pull up our socks we’ll fall out of the pond”.  Sounds funny.  But for me, it vividly depicted the constant effort that is needed for all of us to stay ‘in the pond’. 

The familiar matter of what is there for visitors to do when they get here was again highlighted as a serious deficiency.  People do not come here to sleep, so accommodation providers are not in fact tourism product owners.  They are service providers to visitors and to product owners, who by definition are those who provide visitor activities – things for visitors to do.  We have known for a long time that a lack of things to do is one of our big weaknesses in Barberton.  These “labels” are different and important, so from here on we will distinguish between the two

There is one thing many of our 3000 visitors noted, which was the lack of restaurants and other visitor activities open and available during the holiday.  This is something we all need to think and talk about with a view to improving things for the upcoming Easter holidays.

Astrid will be going to the Tourism Indaba in May and will, for a fee of R300, take your brochures.  So get them ready for Durban and the millions of people seeking a new holiday destination.

Astrid will be available at the office for queries but with Indaba looming she is wildly busy, so PLEASE make an advance appointment to see her.  All general queries can be dealt with by our office staff, Thembani Makoko and Kenneth Mhlongo, who are available at the front desk.

Responsible Tourism Plan

A meeting is being set up at which Board members will make representations regarding this initiative to set the scene for tourism in Emjindini for the next 5 years.  The aim is to improve tourism connections, communication and institutions.  The BCT Board has a role to play and we invite all interested service providers and product owners to join us at the meeting.  Let us know of your interest and we will confirm a date in due course.

NOTE:  BCT Info Office will be closed on Good Friday but open as usual for the rest of the Easter weekend.  

Guest house Tariffs

Could all service providers and product owners please email or write to Astrid about their tariffs.  The BCT needs a clear statement of tariffs for the website.  This means stating the total amount which includes VAT, and the 10% BCT charge for bookings [if you add the latter to the rates you charge].  BCT will not be responsible for incorrect booking information if you do not keep your tariffs up to date.  Please ignore this if you have already altered your website display.

Safety and security awareness

Astrid attends the Provincial Safety and Security Forum held monthly.  We urge all service providers to inform BCT of any incident or concern tourism related so that she can take it to the forum.  The directorate of Safety and Security is increasing the number in Mpumalanga from 120 to 250 in Barberton we have 4 and there will be a possibility in getting more.

If you see them on the street please introduce yourselves and encourage their work.

Astrid has asked the MEC of Safety and Security for agreement that she induct them to our town with useful information to assist them in their job and create a better service to tourists.  This idea was well received.

 The forum advises all service providers that they inform their tourists of the requirement that their visas must be in their current passports or they will not be allowed entry into Mozambique or Swaziland   

Good news

Border gates are being upgraded.  This includes Josefsdal on the Bulembu Road which will make travel through this route easier for people travelling from Barberton. 

Some gates will be open for 24 hours during the holiday period.  Contact BCT for details.

World Cup 2010

Please sign up for 2010 with MATCH.  Barberton is not yet ready for satellite town status having only 40 graded beds.  We need 200 to qualify. The importance of being a satellite town will not be just for the World Cup, but will ensure world wide advertising for years to come as the MATCH brochure advertising our town and your establishment will be in circulation for a long time.  This has precedents in other World Cup countries.  So for those of you who think it isn’t worth it for 3 weeks in June 2010 be sure that the impact will last longer.  If we do not act as a solid community on this, we will, as mentioned above 'fall out of the pond'!  Larger scale tourism takes time to develop and this could be a part of the road Barberton service providers need to take.  Decide to get graded; it's a requirement for 2010!  Please speak to Scola Wankya on 779 5011 578 or Astrid Christianson on 013 712 2880.  (If you have difficulty from a financial point of view, speak to Scola or Astrid as there is some financial assistance available.)

Barberton World Heritage Site 

The World Heritage Site process is one step closer to getting started.  Initial funds have been provided from Provincial Government and tenders have been invited and delivered.  These are now in the process of being evaluated by specialists.  The consultants with the successful tender will then be appointed, probably within the next week or two, and once they get started the public will be invited to participate. 

Diggers Day

A fundraising event was held at Diggers Retreat on Sunday 2nd for Danny Brink’s trip to represent South Africa in the World Gold Panning championships in Spain in July.  Stalls, an art display, jumping castle, gold panning lessons and a beautiful setting helped the atmosphere. 

Two fun gold panning events raised laughter amongst the onlookers and panners.  The first, Survivor, entailed a three person team to swim the length of the pool, run a circuit and Catapult a tin at 5 meters before panning a bucket to find gold.  The winners were Daleens Fish Shop, new to panning but now enthusiastic! The second prize went to The Mallard Team from Fountain Baths.

Fifteen people entered the open, traditional panning event, which was won by Nadine Berry with Frank in close second, both of them new to panning.

The event raised R6000.  Anyone wishing to sponsor Danny is welcome to contact a member of the Diggers Committee, Mark at Diggers Retreat tel 013 719 9681 or Nadine Berry on cell 074 100 6513.

(Why not advertise yourselves on our special boards at one of the panning pits for R1000 for a year-or-more's-worth of permanent publicity?  You design your board and Diggers Committee will arrange for it to be printed with a pit number added.  Contact numbers as above.)

Publicity for Barberton

Have you read the latest Lowveld Living magazine or February's ‘Get It ‘magazine You will find articles on Danny and Gold Panning in Barberton.

His participation in the World Gold Panning Championships in Spain will be an opportunity to put Barberton on the map in Southern Europe. Danny will be sponsored by BCT to the tune of R800 worth of marketing material, which will promote our town at the event.  We challenge all other sponsors to better this BCT investment, after all he is our gold town’s gold panning man, hopefully he will return with a gold. 

By the way, take a gander at the March issue of Getaway magazine, page 82, for a glimpse of one of our Board members and his canine companions on the Queen Rose Trail.  The write up of the trail is pretty good too.

Aloe Ridge

Find the time to visit Aloe Ridge especially if you are interested in organic gardening.  We spent an interesting few hours in this peaceful environment and learnt something more about the organic method of gardening from Anne and David Mourant.  It is water wise, space saving, your recycled kitchen throw a ways become valuable compost, the worm compost [learn about it] is like gold dust for a gardener.  Even if you already know about it, the visit in a calm environment is a real refresher in organic methods or even to just exchange your views. Anne also makes lotions, creams and shampoos for the discerning.  Buy local, buy Aloe Ridge for your guests!  

New Ventures

(Anne Morgan is willing to visit service providers and product owners who have a new or specialized product or interest that can be publicised in this newsletter.  So please contact her if you have something of interest to visitors or even that you just want to show off!  Free bragging!! Call Anne on 082 255 3233)

Pappas Kitchen opened for business in February.  This is a welcome addition to the thin spread of dining establishments in Barberton.

BUT  

Sadly and much to our regret, Oppi Tafel has closed its doors, we are told, temporarily.  If you know of a restaurateur interested in such a business please contact the BCT Office.

  And with relief and congratulations 

The Jock Cycle race, which was threatened with extinction due to lack of sponsorship, has been revived by Medi Help’s sponsorship.  Congratulations to Egbert de Bruyn for persisting with the work of finding a sponsor!

   
URGENT REQUEST from the newsletter compiler, Anne Morgan PLEASE, all members, I depend on you for news about your new ventures, events, exhibitions etc. etc. Call me on: 082 255 3233  

BARBERTON TOURISM

Contact details:

Barberton Tourism

Tel 013 712 2880