Ideas needed to Revive Graaff-Reinet

Update

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - Residents recently took part in an in-depth tourism seminar at the launch of the Revive Graaff-Reinet initiative hosted by the Graaff-Reinet Tourism Board.

The event was led by Shaun van Eck, an award winning tourism coach and the author of Make Money From Tourism, A Practical Guide.

The launch and Rethink Workshop was well attended by local business and interested parties from a variety of concerns in Graaff-Reinet.

Kim von Behr Imrie, manager of the Graaff-Reinet Community Tourism Association stressed the dire need for financial assistance, or the ability to raise funds, and Van Eck soon had the minds and imaginations of the attendees in overdrive.

Many members were inspired by the examples and ideas that have attracted tourists to other towns.

The main theme was to discover the unique selling point of Graaff-Reinet and to involve the community, the municipality, government departments, entrepreneurs, business concerns and individuals.

Scepticism there will always be, as similar ventures have been attempted in the past, however with adequate controls and making use of each entity and individuals qualified to run certain projects, collectively residents can revive our beautiful town and restore Graaff-Reinet as a vital tourist attraction.

A change in approach and thinking is required where residents "sell the sizzle and not just the steak!"

Bring your ideas

Revive Graaff-Reinet is taking the first step and asking people for their uniquely Graaff-Reinet IDEAS. Once all these ideas have been gathered, the community will once again come together to discuss which ones would work best. From there small work teams consisting of motivators, leaders, workers and supporters will be put together.

Here are some top Graaff-Reinet experiences:

nature walks with an expert where you collect your own indigenous plants to flavour your evening braai
stoep stories of ghosts, war heroes and legends while sipping a locally made drink and enjoying a meal around a campfire
sleeping under the stars and searching for fossils
following in the footsteps of past and present heroes…

What do you suggest?

Send your ideas to Revive Graaff-Reinet via WhatsApp: 084 468 0027, Email: info@graaffreinet.co.za, or if you want to remain anonymous, you can write down your ideas and drop them in the drop-box at the Tourism Office.

Kim von Behr Imrie