The Elephant is now in the room

Emfuleni Corridor Tourism (ECTOUR) has welcomed Addo Tourism as its newest member, joining the Tsitsikamma Tourism Association, Kouga Baviaans Surf and Safari, Karoo Heartland Marketing Association and the Wild Coast Holiday Association. This came shortly after ECTOUR’s appointment of Jonker Fourie as their new CEO and marks an exciting first few months in 2014 for the organisation. Addo Tourism is made up of tourism products situated around the Addo Elephant National Park, the Sundays River Valley (Addo and Kirkwood area), the Zuurberg Mountains and Colchester at the Sundays River Mouth.

“ECTOUR’s roll is not just in marketing the Eastern Cape as a prime holiday destination in South Africa, but also to act as an umbrella body for private tourism associations within the provinces’ different tourism areas or nodes,” says Fourie, who has a background in destination marketing and tourist guiding; is an accomplished travel blogger and the recently announced 2013 Port Elizabeth Geocacher of the Year. “Most of the work done to get Addo Tourism on board was done by my predecessor and my next challenge is to encourage and facilitate the formation of similar private tourism marketing associations in those areas where there aren’t any yet.”

Dewald Niemann, Chairman of ECTOUR, is very excited about the new addition to the ECTOUR family. “With Addo Tourism joining us it means ECTOUR becomes more representative of private tourism products in the province. More so, the Sundays River Valley is home to one of the most popular tourism destinations in the Eastern Cape and being able to incorporate the area in our marketing mix allows for an even more appealing Eastern Cape offer,” Niemann said, referring to the Addo Elephant National Park.

ECTOUR and its individual members will be participating in the upcoming WTM Africa and Indaba tourism trade shows in Cape Town and Durban respectively and continues to spread the word that the Eastern Cape offers visitors an affordable destination with beautiful scenery, exciting experiences, game reserves, friendly people and mouth-watering food.

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