Buddies to boost Tourism

Tourism Buddies, lifeguards and law enforcement officers at Dolphin Beach attended customer service training this week as part of the municipality’s preparations for the Festive Season.

Visitors to Jeffreys Bay will not have to look far for tourist information this Festive Season.

Kouga Municipality and the East Cape Parks and Tourism Board have appointed ten “Tourism Buddies” to help keep visitors safe and to assist them with any tourism query they might have.

Kouga Executive Mayor Daphne Kettledas said a similar initiative over the Easter holidays had been well received by visitors and residents alike.

The Buddies will be on duty from 16 December 2015 to 4 January 2016, excluding weekends and public holidays. They will be wearing “Tourism Buddies” bibs to help visitors identify them.

“At least one Buddy will be stationed at a kiosk on the lawns of Dolphin Beach, so as to assist visitors with safety and tourism information,” she said. “The other Buddies will roam around at tourist hotspots such as the main beachfront and Central Business District.”

Their key responsibilities will be to distribute tourism info and brochures, to assist visitors with queries and to help keep them safe by advising them on no-go areas.

They will also be keeping a record of their contact with tourists and the feedback they give, thus contributing to research on tourism trends in the area.        

The Mayor said the initiative was part of Government’s drive to increase employment opportunities for job seekers.

“This programme will create ten extra jobs in our area this Festive Season. While it is only temporary work, the Buddies have also received training in First Aid and Customer Care, which improves their chances of securing something more permanent,” she said.

The Tourism Buddies will be working in close collaboration with the police and municipal law enforcement officers, Dolphin Beach management and local Tourism Office. Two law enforcement officers and four life guards also participated in the customer service training which was offered this week as part of the programme.

The Mayor said the municipality wished to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all roleplayers for their ongoing support of the programme.