Knysna Visitor Information

Celebrating diversity with international Tourism Month 2009

September is National Tourism Month and this year the theme is "Tourism - Celebrating Diversity". This focuses on the cultural wealth found on Earth and the imperative role sustainable tourism plays in breathing new life into local traditions and ensuring that these traditions flourish as they cross over culture barriers. MEDIA RELEASE

KNYSNA TOURISM

DATE: 24 August 2009

EMBARGO: Immediate

CELEBRATING DIVERSITY WITH INTERNATIONAL TOURISM MONTH 2009
September is National Tourism Month and this year the theme is "Tourism - Celebrating Diversity". This focuses on the cultural wealth found on Earth and the imperative role sustainable tourism plays in breathing new life into local traditions and ensuring that these traditions flourish as they cross over culture barriers.
According to Knysna Tourism CEO Shaun van Eck, an incredible range of diverse local customs co-exist on Earth. "It is exactly this variety that has allowed the travel and tourism industry to boom and become not only the largest single export industry, but also a leading force in the service sector."
He said that this is clearly reflected in the local economy. "In no town is this more evident than in Knysna. Knysna Tourism strongly believes in tourism development and facilitating participation by members drawn from every sector of our diverse local community. Our Development Officer, Glendyrr Fick, has been hard at work to present a number of events that have been lined up for Tourism Month to aid in this mission." The Knysna Square Shopping Center is the venue for the Knysna Tourism "Local is Lekker" SMME (Small Medium and Micro Enterprises) Showcase on the 11th of September between 10h00 and 15h30. "This offers the man on the street an opportunity to see what products are available locally, and hopefully secure more business opportunities for the SMME's," said Fick.
She said that children are an important part of the Tourism Month activities. "The Knysna Tourism Youth Career Exhibition, funded by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, will take place on the 22nd and 23rd of September from 10h00 until 17hoo. Previously disadvantaged learners from Oudtshoorn, Mossel Bay, George, Plettenberg Bay and the greater Knysna area will attend this event." The first day will be held at the BMW Love Life Center and is targeted at learners from Grade 9 to 11. Various tertiary educational institutions and local stakeholders will exhibit informative displays featuring the various career and entrepreneurship possibilities in the tourism industry. The second day takes place at The Moorings and is aimed at school leavers facing the harsh reality and possibility of unemployment after school. The day not only features a tourism enterprise program, but Career Planet will be on hand to divulge valuable and practical information ranging from writing CV's to the correct behaviour during an interview.
"The children truly are our future," said van Eck. "It is important that we show them the world of possibilities that awaits them in the tourism industry. Not only does it provide them with new and exciting opportunities after school, but their future involvement in tourism will ensure that local communities and their traditions continue to meet across the culture barrier so that we may celebrate diversity well into the future and not just during International Tourism Month."
Information regarding a meet-and-greet for members of Knysna Tourism, scheduled for September, will be released closer to the time. For more information on these and other activities, please call Knysna Tourism on (044) 382 5510.

ENDS

MEDIA RELEASE BY KNYSNA PR | Nicci Rousseau on behalf of Knysna Tourism.
For more information please contact Nicci Rousseau
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it | Cell 083 299 7777

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