Local News

Sedgefield Knysna Update March 2020

Published March 11, 2020 | By myoli

As of 1 March 2020, Margie Whitehouse joined the WESGRO team in Cape Town as their Chief Tourism (Marketing) Officer, replacing Judy Lain who resigned from the organization in mid-2019. We are excited to welcome Margie as she will bring guidance and inputs to align ourselves further to the Western Cape’s marketing efforts. To our advantage is the fact that Margie is very familiar with the Greater Knysna Area, owning property and her parents live in Belvidere. Welcome, Margie.
http://www.tourismupdate.co.za/article/198095/Whitehouse-to-forge-collaboration-in-new-role

A reminder that our Stakeholders Engagement will take place at 10h30 this Friday, 13 March at PiliPili in Sedgefield. Please ensure that you have RSVP’d to Info@VisitKnysna.co.za .

Calendar of Events
A number of major and annual events have already taken place this year. Thank you to all the event organisers, as well as to their supporters. We will continue to promote upcoming events in the Greater Knysna Area as these give ideal opportunities to attract visitors. Please be sure to supply our office with all relevant information pertaining to events that you are aware of. All details can be sent to Info@VisitKnysna.co.za and we will identify those to promote further afield. Please support the events that are listed on our website: www.VisitKnysna.co.za .

Upcoming Events :

This weekend sees the Knysna Timber Festival taking place : Read more here
The Sedgefield Slow Festival offers much activity and entertainment for the family : don’t miss this. Read more here
Bookings are open for the Hi-Tec Garden Route Walking Festival

Knysna Oyster Festival
Planning for this year’s event, that is scheduled for Friday, 26 June – Sunday, 5 July 2020, is well underway. The Management Committee, comprising of the major events, municipal officials and Visit Knysna, meet regularly. The Steering Committee will continue to meet, on an ad hoc basis, regularity increasing as we progress towards the event dates.

We are pleased to advise that Andrew Finn has been contracted as the Festival Coordinator. Queries and details can be submitted through him on email Info@KnysnaOysterFestival.co.za or his office (08h00 – 13h00, weekdays) on 044 382 6880.

There is a public meeting scheduled for 10h00 on Wednesday, 25 March 2020: this will take place at Drydock (upstairs). Anyone who wants to be involved in event offerings, activity or accommodation specials, etc is encouraged to attend. Please RSVP your attendance to Info@VisitKnysna.co.za as space is limited.

Media Hosting / Articles

From our Nordics Roadshow, we hosted golf journalist, Søren Thorup. He and his wife had a very good visit to Knysna where they played golf and wrote articles on the Knysna and Pezula Golf Courses (having previously featured the Simola Golf Course), as well as the history of the Turbine Hotel.
In February, there was a crew from CGTN (China Global Television Network) DSTV SA channel 409 who recorded footage based on human interest stories, artists, sports personalities, community / township upliftment development stories and business related stories. This was a great opportunity for some of our locals to feature.
And subsequent to the Vakantiebeurs in the Netherlands, we recently hosted Laura Weenink of Reisachtige Laura. She was in the area to write on family activities, which included an outing with AMD Odyssey, eateries in Sedgefield and Knysna, whilst being accommodated by Blackwaters River Lodge, who were also represented at Vakantiebeurs.
The crew from Cape Cycle Routes stopped over in Knysna whilst creating footage on the Karoo Crossing Route.

WESGRO are in the process of developing this concept further to incorporate Klein Karoo to Central Karoo, which our area will again form a part of.

Trade engagements

Click on the link for the feedback report from Vakantiebeurs that was included in The Gremlin, amongst other media – Visit Knysna returns from successful exhibition with South African Tourism in the Netherlands
For information purposes, please see the link to the Visual Capitalist’s article on World Tourist Spend: it makes for interesting reading and reinforces the benefits and value of tourism – https://www.visualcapitalist.com/map-countries-by-tourist-spending/

Social Media
A reminder to you all, please :

When you and your guests are out and about, please remember to tag us @Visit Knysna and @Visit Sedgefield. By tagging us, we could then ‘save and repost’ the content onto our various platforms.
Should you have any media content, photos or videos that you would like to share with us, you are welcome to contact Nadine on media@visitknysna.co.za .

Posted in Local News

PLETT TOURISM UPDATE MARCH 2020

Published March 11, 2020 | By myoli

Skills – Introducing… Plett Summer School

Sport – Tsitisikamma Ultra Trail Run

Blog – Plett Conversations starts 2020 on a high note

In the media – Pret in Plett

Activities – Up the river with a paddle (Bitou Kayaks)

Easter – Easter Weekend Celebration

Tourism – Invitation to new Plett Conversations

Events – Current and upcoming events in & around Plett

Tsitsikamma Ultra

It’s time to take a run on the wild side as a firm trail-running favourite, the Tsitsikamma Ultra Trail Run returns for another year of spectacular trails from Storms River to Nature’s Valley.

The run is a 60km, linear trail that follows the beautiful Tsitsikamma Hiking Trail, in reverse, starting under ‘The Big Tree’ and finishing in lovely Nature’s Valley in the Garden Route National Park. This is a toughie, as runners will need to be self-sufficient on the route.

However, there will be marshals at all four huts, in the event of an emergency. Runners will travel through the Tsitsikamma forest and mountains, encountering mountain streams and endemic fynbos.

It’ll be a journey to remember.

IN THE MEDIA: PRET IN PLETT

Plett – making waves! Look out for a super feature on Plett in the latest issue of Vroukeur magazine!

UP THE RIVER… WITH A PADDLE

Introducing Bitou Kayaks…The twin Bitou and Keurbooms rivers are a delight to explore, hiding all manner of wildlife and birdlife.

Bitou Kayaks offers 2-, 3- or 4-hour guided tours on these waterways. Settle back to paddle along these meandering rivers and experience peace and tranquility. Highlights of the Bitou paddle are the magnificent birdlife, whereas the Keurbooms is bordered by pristine indigenous forest.

Self-guided tours are available, and no previous kayaking experience is necessary. A marvelous new way to enjoy Plettenberg B

EASTER WEEKEND CELEBRATION

The Easter Weekend Celebration will take place over 3 days from 10-12 April at Faris Industrial Area, Plettenberg Bay. M&M Braai’s will be turning one in April, so this is a very special celebration.

Local DJ Sivo and others will be playing everything from house music to jazz and M&M Braai’s will be serving up delicious chicken wings, pork, livers, hot dogs, lamb and potjie!

Dates: 10-12 April
Time: 5pm – midnight
Venue: Faris Industrial Area, Plettenberg Bay
Tickets: R40 adults R20 kids.

Tickets on sale at Lucky Store, Plett Tourism Office and Cheap Cheap, Bossiesgif.

INVITATION TO PLETT CONVERSATIONS

Following the very successful engagement with the Garden Route Municipality at the end of February, Plett Tourism takes Plett Conversations to the next level, and is proud to host the newly appointed Chief Tourism Officer for Wesgro, Margie Whitehouse. Please join us for a keynote address from Margie, followed by Q&A.

This meeting is open to all Plett’s tourism businesses.

DATE: 12 March 2020 │Sky Villa Boutique Hotel
TIME: 10am for welcome tea & coffee | 10.30am Margie Whitehouse address
RSVP to thandi@pletttourism.com or 044 533 4065

UPCOMING EVENTS…


Plett’s Harkerville parkrun (every Sat)	The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged – 07 Mar	Soulshine Festival 07 Mar	The Scribe Story Workshop 09 Mar


A David Muller Double Bill 14 Mar	Fun Trivia Quiz 19 Mar	Barrington’s Beer Festival 21 Mar	Plett Art Affair 29 Mar


Easter Weekend Celebration 10 Apr	Hi-Tec Garden Route Walking Festival 10 Apr	Easter All WHITE Experience 11 Apr	BUCO Adventure Weekend 11 Apr


Plett Truck & Vine Festival 26 Apr	Tsitsikamma Ultra Trail Run 02 May	Plett Summer School 01 Sep	Dr Evil Classic 17 Sep

Forest Festival 24 Sep	Otter African Trail Run 28 Oct	Plett Rage 27 Nov

Plett Tourism offers business the opportunity to advertise in our newsletters!

Get exposure to our mailing list of over 7,000 email addresses which includes Plett locals, SA national and international subscribers.

CLICK HERE FOR RATES

To see your ad in this newsletter, simply contact Lorna MacLeod on publications@pletttourism.com or call her on 078 425 4382.

Online Bookings with Plett Tourism

Online bookings make planning your Plett holiday a pleasure. The Plett Tourism website www.pletttourism.com is now live with real time bookings for accommodation and activities from Nightsbridge and Activitybridge. Real time online bookings – all in one place with Plett Tourism

Posted in Local News

Whats Up in Plett – August to November 2018

Published August 22, 2018 | By myoli

Events – Premier equestrian event at Kurland introduces trail run and MTB

Notice – Plett Tourism Annual General Meeting 2018

Rage news – #1: Welcome to Plett Rage 2018

A good read – The stories that bind us together

Ecology – Humpback dolphin research in Plettenberg Bay

In the media – Family-friendly stays in the Western Cape

Free tours – Explore beautiful Mungo Mill

Safety – Beaches in Plett not currently manned by lifeguards

News and blogs – Interesting articles on Plett

Events – A list of current and upcoming events in and around Plett

PREMIER EQUESTRIAN EVENT AT KURLAND INTRODUCES TRAIL RUN & MTB

21 – 23 September 2018

One of the Garden Route’s premier horse-riding events, including the South African Adult Eventing Championships, now includes a variety of exciting outdoor events for the non-equestrian, making it a weekend of sport for the whole family to enjoy.

Trail running and cycling enthusiasts can join in on the fun at the Kurland Hotel & Polo Estate in the Crags from 21 to 23 September 2018. Last year, the organisers introduced the Trail Run to the weekend’s events to great success, with 130 runners and 250 spectators enjoying a morning on the estate. Lance Gibbons, member of the Kurland Eventing Committee says: “This year we are very excited to host the Dr Evil Mountain Bike race, which caters for 300 entries, as well as a wonderful local cuisine and produce market. The 2018 Kurland event is now the perfect weekend of outdoor fun, with something for everyone to enjoy.”

From an equestrian perspective, the 2018 Kurland Event is a Three-Phase Event, encapsulating the three elements of dressage, show-jumping and cross-country. “This is one of the best ways to develop the infrastructure necessary for all disciplines of competitive equestrian sports,” said Gibbons. During the weekend’s event Kurland will host the SA Adult Eventing Championships; The Kurland Cup, which will include dressage on Friday; cross-country on Saturday and the event will end off with show-jumping on Sunday.

The Kurland Cup event has shown steady and sustainable growth since it was established in 2016. “Aside from our obvious equestrian focus, we are excited about building an event with a variety of outdoor attractions focused on healthy living and lifestyle,” said Gibbons.

Additionally, there will also be evening entertainment with cocktail functions and a braai on Saturday, so be sure to head out to enjoy a weekend of sporting fun at Kurland. The Kurland Hotel & Polo Estate is the ultimate host, set on beautiful, rolling grounds and conveniently located just off the N2 near Plettenberg Bay.

Find out more…

HUMPBACK DOLPHIN RESEARCH IN PLETTENBERG BAY

Researchers and volunteers from ORCA Foundation continue their survey of our resident (and endangered) Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphins in Plettenberg Bay. The foundation conducts monthly surveys of the population. On their first three days at sea this month, they saw no humpback dolphins, but did manage to spot: a duck-billed ray, some great white sharks, a thresher shark breach, humpback whales, southern right whales and loads of bottlenose dolphins.

On their last day, the researchers found a nice big group of dolphins, split into two subgroups, along Keurbooms beach. They were socialising and slowly making their way eastwards. Among them was their favourite gal, MICHELLE, sporting her deeply notched dorsal fin (seen below). So far, she has been seen on every monthly survey! This project is run in collaboration with Nelson Mandela University and the data will be used to better understand and conserve the species.

Find out more…

IN THE MEDIA: FAMILY-FRIENDLY STAYS IN THE WESTERN CAPE

Plett Tourism, Bayview Hotel and Rocky Road Backpackers recently hosted bloggers, The Travel Manuel during the Garden Route Walking Festival. The Manuels travel with their toddler and have put together an excellent list of family-friendly stays in the Western Cape.

Read their article to find out where the family friendly stays are…

ACTIVITIES: EXPLORE BEAUTIFUL MUNGO MILL

This winter the public are invited to a behind-the-scenes guided tour of Mungo Mill. Every Saturday and Sunday, at 11h30, you can meet at the mill bridge entrance where the tour begins. You will get to wander between the looms with a knowledgeable guide and engage with the weaving process to experience the age-old art of weaving from pre-industrial revolution to present day. An insightful and interesting experience for all.

No booking required, simply meet at the entrance of the mill. Tours are approximately 40 minutes. You can enjoy some shopping afterwards or a delicious meal at Roost.

For large group bookings and alternative guided tour schedules, please contact gillian@oldnick.co.za.

IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE

Beaches in Plett are not currently manned by lifeguards.

For beach information, visit Plettbeachwatch or contact Beach Control on 044 501 3125.

NEWS AND BLOGS


Behind the scenes of the wildlife tourism industry	SA Tourism invites participation during Tourism Month	Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival moves to March 2019 school holidays	Two days of birding at Bitou River Lodge

UPCOMING EVENTS…


PAA Hospitality Trade Fair 29 Aug	Eden to Addo Hike 01 Sep	Bitou 10 Sandcastle Competition 01 Sept	Sabrina Love Golf Day 02 Sept


Dr Evil Classic 20-22 Sep	SA Eventing Championships 21 Sept	Tour de Plett 06 Oct	The Wild Corridor MTB Tour 23 Oct


Plett Rage 30 Nov	Robberg Fine Foods Beach Regatta 15 Dec	Plett Wine & Bubbly Festival 23-24 Mar

Posted in Local News

Knysna & Sedgefield News July – September 2018

Published August 22, 2018 | By myoli

*Announcing our #spiritofknysna competition*

WIN a fantastic holiday in Knysna, the heartbeat of the Garden Route, in South Africa’s Western Cape! Spend 7 glorious days in Knysna, experiencing three different luxurious accommodation options in three different parts of our scenic area.

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