NIEU-BETHESDA NEWS - The Nieu-Bethesda Community Tourism Organisation (CTO) hosted and sponsored a social year-end event on Thursday, 6 December, at The Brewery and Two Goats Deli in Nieu-Bethesda.

All members were invited to join and were treated to a traditional braai served with delicious “pap and sous” catered by members, Riel Malan and Chrissie Swarts from Tot-hier-toe Padstal.

“We were very happy about the attendance of 20 members and look forward to a busy season in the village,” said CTO chair Ian Allemann, who has also recently been elected as the chairman of Karoo Heartland Marketing Association.

The Nieu-Bethesda CTO has recently made a conscious effort to actively start marketing the establishments and activities in the village on social media.

A new Facebook page (@NieuBethesdaTourism) has been created with the aim to give everyone coverage and to become the central information point of the village. Businesses are encouraged to e-mail special offerings, events and photographs to be included on the page.

“It is a necessity to be active in the ever-growing world of social media to advertise your business or product. We have reached out to our members, especially the older generation, to offer assistance with photographs and social media start-ups, ” says Sarina Engelbrecht, Marketing and PR Committee member.

The beautiful village of Nieu-Bethesda as photographed by Sarina Engelbrecht.

The aim of the CTO is to promote the village and to cultivate a good working relationship between the members. 

It is imperative that everyone works together and supports each other to create a sustainable flow of visitors and income.

New committee members for 2018 are Ian Allemann (Chairman), Barbara Weitz (Secretary), André Cilliers (Finance), Casper van der Hulst (Membership) and Sarina Engelbrecht (Marketing and PR), who are all locals and share a love of the village, endeavouring to bring change and growth for 2019.

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