Knysna ready for holiday season

RUNAWAY fires that scorched swathes of the Garden Route spared most tourist attractions in Knysna‚ where residents are optimistic about the looming festive season.

The tourism board is confident that holidaymakers will return to the coastal town‚ despite the destruction witnessed in June.

Knysna & Partners chairwoman Elmay Bouwer said most of the tourist attractions in the area had not been affected by the fire.

“The Knysna experience will be available to our holidaymakers because 90% of activities were not affected,” she said.

“Although one of Knysna’s biggest tourist attractions‚ the Featherbed Nature Reserve‚ suffered severe damage‚ the company’s three restaurants are still fully operational as are the boat cruises on the John Benn‚ Paddle Cruiser and Heads Explorer Catamaran.”

The picturesque Knysna Waterfront‚ overlooking the Knysna lagoon‚ was also spared when the inferno ripped through the town.

“The popular animal sanctuaries between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay are all operating as usual,” Bouwer said.

Bouwer said 292 rooms had been lost at hospitality establishments in Knysna.

“There will be less accommodation available, but people will book in Sedgefield and other places on the Garden Route,” she said.