Cape floods won’t dampen tourism

The recent floods along the southern Cape coast caused an estimated R600-million of damage, but tourism organisations say they won't dampen tourism in the province during the festive season.

Popular holiday destinations, including Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay and Mossel Bay, were hit by floods two weeks ago.

Naledi Burwana-Bisiwe, chief executive of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board, said it expected 3.3million domestic and 528000 foreign visitors this month — about the same number as last December.

She said: "We are encouraged by the Eastern and Western Cape provincial governments, and by private sector support, to get things back on track.

"We can't deny that the floods had an impact on some establishments, and on roads and other infrastructure.

"This might have put some people off, and some places might decide to close during the festive season for renovations."

Initial estimates said the storm had caused damage of about R600-million, but Burwana-Bisiwe said it was too early to determine the exact total .Early indications were that the national parks, such as Wilderness and Tsitsikamma, had been hardest hit by the floods.

Tsitsikamma National Park has remained open but its popular cruise boat, the Spirit of Tsitsikamma, was badly damaged in the storms that ravaged the area.

The park plans to hire a replacement boat for the tourist season.

The park said its 82 accommodation units and camping sites were fully booked. There had been no cancellations.

Wilderness National Park, which has been closed since the floods, will re-open two days before Christmas.
 
» Article source: Xolile Bhengu

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