GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Graaff-Reinet Community Tourism Organisation has welcomed a new Tourism Office Manager, Kim von Behr Imrie. She and her team are on a quest to make the Tourism Office the go-to hub for tourism information and to encourage travel to the picturesque town.
Von Behr Imrie, a resident of Graaff-Reinet for the last five years, brings much expertise to her new position. She was Manager and Curator of Imibala Gallery for the last four years, as well as Public Relations Officer for the Graaff-Reinet Chamber of Commerce since 2016.
She takes over the reins from Jack van Niekerk, who will relocate with his wife to Jeffreys Bay at the end of the year.
"This new challenge comprises a lot of what I enjoy: travel, people and creativity," Von Behr Imrie told the Advertiser about her new position. She hopes to work with the Graaff-Reinet community and other tourism organisation bodies to help Graaff-Reinet tourism recover from the heavy economic blow dealt by Covid-19.
"We have already started to see tourism numbers slowly improve, but Covid-19 remains a challenge as many of our foreign tourists come from countries such as the UK and the Netherlands," explained Von Behr Imrie. According to her, the Tourism Organisation will focus on encouraging domestic tourism during Level 1 of Lockdown.
"Graaff-Reinet is an ideal place to visit during Level 1," said Von Behr Imrie. "City dwellers who have been cooped up revel in the outdoor experiences on offer. These include farm stays with hiking, cycling, bird watching, beautiful skies, wide-open spaces and good Karoo food." She added that the town, South Africa's fourth oldest, is well-preserved, clean and has a rich history with over 200 national monuments.
Tourism Office Manager, Kim von Behr Imrie.
And Von Behr Imrie's favourite Graaff-Reinet attractions? Catching the sunset at the Valley of Desolation, taking a tour of town or Umasizakhe, and visiting one of the town's six museums. These museums are expected to reopen on 19 October.
Von Behr Imrie concluded that she plans to become acquainted and well-informed with everything Graaff-Reinet has to offer. "Should locals have interesting stories to share, they are welcome to pop in and chat with us."
Readers can also follow all things tourism on the Tourism Office's Facebook page.
'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'
