EC’s tourism operators lauded for sterling service
MEC notes promising trend of improved quality
SEASONED Eastern Cape tour guide, Velile Ndlumbini has been acknowledged as the best in the province. Ndlumbini received the accolade at the Buffalo City Metro’s Lilizela awards – in which it honours the best in the tourism industry – on Thursday at The Venue at Hemingways Casino.
Ndlumbini, owner of Imonti Tours, has since 2003, offered many tourism packages for local and international tourists including the Township Tour – in which he gives his customers a taste of township life, as well as the famous Nelson Mandela Early Childhood Tour.
The latter takes visitors to Mthatha, to Mandela’s birthplace Mvezo, Qunu, and Mqhekezweni villages, where he grew up.
Ndlumbini said the awards would definitely help boost his business.
“The competition is very tight in the industry and I gladly accept these feathers in my cap,” he said.
Eastern Cape parks and tourism CEO, Vuyani Dayimani, said the awards were also a good platform to show off what the province had on offer for domestic travel.
Dayimani said service providers awarded at the event had been nominated by the general public.
One of the categories acknowledges establishments which offer the best service according to their grading.
More than 100 resorts, hotels, lodges and game reserves competed in the 40 different categories.
Tsitsikamma Misty Mountain Reserve owners, Tracey and Greg Scott, scooped top honours for the the best lodge in the province.
“It’s our first time entering and we are very excited to have won the award because it reaffirms that we are doing great. It is such an honour,” said Scott.
Port Alfred-based MyPond Hotel was voted the best four-star hotel once again this year.
Hotel manager Sisonke Mapuma said the award came as no surprise.
“We won the same award last year and since I was appointed I knew I had big shoes to fill and had no intentions of letting it go under my watch. So getting it again, is a sign we are on the right track,” said Mapuma.
Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism MEC Sakhumzi Somyo said there was a very promising trend of improved quality from service providers over the years and also an increased number of black entrepreneurs tapping into the industry.
“The economy of the country relies on this industry, which is why we are soon to launch the cheapest flights between Johannesburg and Mthatha and a R400-million project is underway for our roads and infrastructure to improve accessibility to our rural destinations and also to draw attention to the Wild Coast, which boasts a great deal of tourism attractions,” Somyo said. — mbalit