THE BENEFITS OF TOURISM
Tuesday, 27th August 2024
WHO WE ARE:
Makana Tourism is staffed by professional people who - together with the financial backing from the Makana Local Municipality and input from a committee whose members represent a wide cross-section of the Makana community - strive to promote the prosperity of our city through tourism.
Our core functions are: -
(a) To service visitors to our city by providing comprehensive information and advice.
(b) To profile, market and promote all the different facets of the City of Makhanda.
WHY TOURISM?
Tourism meets many vital needs in our local economy. Increasing the tourist flow can result in a dramatic rise in earnings, employment and investment opportunities.
Consider a few of these tourism benefits:
- Being labour-intensive, tourism offers a wide variety of employment opportunities to the unskilled and semi-skilled market.
- Tourism stimulates small business opportunities.
- It creates a vibrant market for handicrafts, souvenirs and curios.
- Tourism makes a constant contribution to the economy of Makhanda - sustaining positive, long-term economic growth.
ENDLESS OPPORTUNITIES
Each business in the Makana region can benefit from a vibrant tourism industry. The multiplier effect of the tourist rand, which is re-spent in the local economy on average seven times, ensures that the money visitors spend directly in the hospitality industry spreads indirectly to the rest of the business community.
Due to increased demands on the city’s budget, more support will be needed from private enterprise to grow Makana’s tourism industry.
With a professional approach and a positive attitude, the potential for growth in this sector of the economic market is enormous.
Your support for local tourism efforts will be rewarded by an increase in the amount of money circulating through the city which, in turn, will lead to long-term economic growth.
WE AIM TO:
- Initiate and implement a strong membership campaign.
- Build an image for the Makana region as a desirable destination.
- Promote Makhanda as a centre for the local conference market
- Promote the city’s academic excellence and the opportunities offered for study and research.
- Encourage special interest groups to visit our city.
- Position Makhanda as the cultural and academic hub of the Makana region and surrounds.
- Raise and monitor the levels of front-line service - thereby providing visitors with pleasant experiences and encouraging their return.
- Provide tourists with easily accessible, quality information and activity opportunities.
- Make earning opportunities from tourism available to all the citizens of Makhanda.
Tourism is the thread that binds the community and develops pride and respect for our city. Residents who are proud of Makana - its environs, reputation and attractions - are our best ambassadors for tourism. Everyone has a stake in the tourism industry and your commitment will help to foster community spirit.
As an individual or a business, you can choose your own level of commitment. Your choice of membership category should not be based on the size of your company or the number of employees - but rather on the level of enthusiasm and commitment you wish to invest in the Makana region and its future.
The bigger your share of the tourism market, the more widespread the benefits are to the community. Only you can ensure that the ripples created by your investment become waves of profit in the future.
MEMBERSHIP OPTIONS AT A PRESCRIBED FEE
- Accommodation (B& B, Guest House, Self-catering establishment etc).
- Individual & Business (Committed to the support of and positive promotion of the City of Makhanda and surrounding villages).
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
- Insertion of the establishment details plus photographs on appropriate page of Makana Tourism Website: www.grahamstown.co.za
- Display of brochures and other marketing collateral.
- Access to information on tourism trends, statistics, market research and training and funding opportunities etc.
- Representation of members at local and national level.
- Inclusion of information in educational packages.
- Attendance of feedback workshops.
- Co-operative Advertising Access.
- Distribution of members’ information to local and national Tourism Information Centres.
For more details on the membership process, please contact Makana Tourism on tourism@grahamstown.co.za
