Tourism Dundee marks 30 years of boosting the economy

Closer ties will be formed between Tourism Dundee and Endumeni Municipality. This was said at the 30th Tourism Dundee’s annual general meeting where guest speaker, Boxer Mpontshane, Planning Manager at Endumeni Municipality, said a memorandum of understanding will be soon drawn up to ensure both tourism and the municipality understand each other’s responsibilities for the betterment of the area.
“The Integrated Development Plan, IDP, says that tourism is very much part of the local economy which includes local economic development. So we must be partners.”
He mentioned that plans are going ahead to twin with Dundee, Scotland, and hoped that this would soon become a reality.
A business plan for the municipality was being drawn up and this should be completed by March 2017.
While congratulating Tourism Dundee on keeping a ‘fully functional’ tourism office, he did warn that the committee ‘should be fully representative of the community’.
Norman Parkinson, Tourism Dundee vice chairman, said at the meeting, nine of the 12 posts on the committee had been filled and that ‘the problem was many lose interest in serving on the committee when they realise it is a voluntary service and did not attract a salary’. However, he said that relevant interested parties could be identified to serve to ensure what Mr Mpontshane was referring to.

‘The information is private and confidential and not for the scrutiny of other members of the public but important for the Local Economic Development office.’

‘Disappointing that members do not pass on statistics’
Naresh Gopie, Tourism chairman, said the industry continued to pump millions into the local economy and urged all businesses and residents to ensure that Dundee and the greater battlefields area maintain and improve their reputation as specialist tourist destinations.
However, he was disappointed that members did not come forward to release statistics of bed nights to the committee.
“This information is vital as we need to pass it on to the LED office at the municipality.
“Perpetual requests are made to our members for this vital piece of information which seems to be ignored by many. Out of 31 members we had a positive response from only eleven members. This is unacceptable. The information is private and confidential and not for the scrutiny of other members of the public but important for the Local Economic Development office.
“Together with the Vice Chairman we have decided that a memorandum of compulsory declaration be undertaken by our members to ensure that the information is received without further notice. From the 11 members who shared their stats with our office it was determined that there was an estimated R40 million spent in the past financial year. However I believe this amount should exceed the R60 million had we collected data from all members.”

Later, guests enjoyed the warmth of an open fire at the Zulu Cultural Village at Talana Museum, which hosted the meeting.

Mr Gopie said the committee had reached out to ‘see new partners to continually boost tourism’.
“N3 Gateway has proven to be one such partner and together, engaging with Umzinyathi District Municipality, we can definitely achieve much more. Such are by proactively seeking to engage with tourism partners on tourism related projects. Examples during the last year include – Endumeni Municipality (B&B’s subject to business rate electricity, the Dundee Urban regeneration project, Dundee July etc), Umzinyathi Municipality (Durban Indaba etc). N3 Gateway (attendance at tourism shows). and with the Battlefields Route attendance at The Getaway Show and involvement at their meetings). ”

He paid glowing tribute to Tourism office staff members, Kajal and Sne. There was also a moment’s silence for Tourism Dundee stalwart, Decima Jones, who passed away in June. Later, guests enjoyed the warmth of an open fire at the Zulu Cultural Village at Talana Museum, which hosted the meeting.