New resorts policy aimed at boosting coffers

● Bay seeks better management of municipal retreats

Companies renting Nelson Mandela Bay municipal resorts could be penalised should they fail to meet performance goals.

Resorts in close proximity will also be managed under the same contract, with more successful resorts subsidising those that are not doing as well.

This is if the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality adopts the new resorts development and management policy.

The draft policy, fresh from a round of public participation, is aimed at reviving ailing Bay resorts.

Nelson Mandela Bay municipal spokesperson Kupido Baron said no objections had been submitted.

The plan is to develop a new policy that would work as a blueprint for the municipality and companies who rent the resorts.

There is no policy at present to guide the city in overseeing the management of the Springs, Maitlands, Van Stadens, Willows and Beachview resorts.

Of the five municipal resorts, the Springs and Maitlands resorts are run by the municipality, while the Van Stadens, Willows and Beachview resorts are managed privately.

Proposing in January that a policy be drafted, sports recreation, arts and culture boss Noxolo Nqwazi said the proposed policy would address “gaps” in the existing contracts.

The policy introduces management contracts, concession contracts and co-operative agreements, as well as the development of a master plan, among other things.

Beaches and resorts director Kithi Ngesi wrote in the proposal that the policy would introduce management mechanisms that would leverage the tourism industry and attract more investment.

“Resorts have the potential to generate income for the municipality,” Ngesi wrote.

“Well-managed resorts will increase ... the value of the coastline, which will, in turn, increase the value of the city as it grows further.

“Furthermore, resorts play an important role in providing opportunities for communities and social development through programmes and leisure opportunities.”

Ngesi wrote further that this would be done through partnerships with nonprofit organisations, while the resorts themselves were required to provide space to be rented out at a minimum fee to residents looking for accommodation for social development purposes.

The tariffs at the resorts managed by the municipality would be benchmarked against private facilities, while resorts that catered for locals would be eligible for a discount on the benchmarked tariff.

On Sunday, Ngesi said: “The proposed policy introduces four different management options.

“The most important thing is that resorts make revenue for the city while also serving the interests of communities and residents.”

The policy will be reviewed after three years.

Ngesi said whichever management system was chosen for the resorts, it had to bring in revenue for the city.

‘The most important thing is that resorts make revenue for the city’ Kithi Ngesi

BAY BEACHES AND RESORTS DIRECTOR