KAROO NEWS - The Graaff-Reinet Community Tourism Office (GRCTO) is experiencing huge financial problems, putting their essential operation in jeopardy.
Despite multiple efforts to address the issue with the respective organisations, the GRCTO remains in dire straits.
No funding
Tourism manager Kim von Behr Imrie, says since the amalgamation of the Camdeboo, Ikwezi and Baviaans municipalities in 2016, the office has not received its annual stipend from the Dr Beyers Naudé Local Municipality (DBNLM). "This prolonged absence of funds has left the office struggling to meet its financial obligations. Additionally, we recently lost a valuable staff member who resigned due to inadequate earnings that did not meet industry standards," says von Behr Imrie.
"Despite assurances from the municipality, the promised funding has not materialised, leaving us in a precarious situation. The White Paper of 1996 mandates that local municipalities support and promote their local tourism offices, but this obligation has not been fulfilled," she says.
R120 000 for entire district
In response to an inquiry from the Graaff-Reinet Advertiser, DBNLM spokesperson Vuyisa Jantjies stated that the municipality's position regarding funds for tourism organisations was approved during the council meeting on 27 July. Jantjies says an amount of R120 000 was approved but must be divided between all recognised tourism organisations in the district and is not specific to only Graaff-Reinet. "There are three tourism organisations - Jansenville, Aberdeen, and Graaff-Reinet - entrusted with the responsibility of promoting local establishments and surrounding towns as tourism destinations."
Memberships
According to von Behr Imrie, they currently rely solely on membership fees - an insufficient source of income to sustain effective tourism activities. While they do receive limited funding from the Sarah Baartman District Municipality for specific projects, it does not cover their operational expenses.
Stakeholder engagement
Two months ago, on 10 August, in an effort to find a solution, von Behr Imrie attended a tourism stakeholders' engagement session in Cradock. where she presented the funding crisis to Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism, and suggested that government funds for tourism be allocated directly to the organisations performing the work, such as community tourism offices.
Community projects
The GRCTO has been actively involved in promoting community projects. In addition to raising awareness, they have featured community initiatives and tourist attractions in the SAA Sawubona in-flight magazine.
Desperate appeal
On 5 September, the GRCTO took the unusual step of posting their plight on Facebook - Von Behr Imrie highlighted the lack of funding since 2016 on Graaff-Reinet Magazine and Revive Graaff-Reinet.
While they have requested the DBNLM to reinstate their stipend, they are also actively seeking ways to generate income, including renovating their front hall into an art gallery. Von Behr Imrie expressed frustration over the situation, citing the need to focus on community projects and tourism initiatives rather than battling financial difficulties.
Uncertain future
With only about a month's funds left, without accessing local tourism office funds designated for training and the World Travel Market Show, the local tourism office faces an uncertain future. Without a change in funding circumstances, their operations may only be sustained until the end of the year, leaving a significant impact on tourism promotion in Graaff-Reinet.
Become a member
Any business owner, school, charity organisation and guesthouse can contact the tourism office to become a member on 049 892 424 or at manager@graaffreinet.co.za.
- At the time of going to press on Wednesday 4 October, the office was yet to receive a cent from the DBNLM and a response to an inquiry from the Advertiser in this regard was still pending.
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