Tourism acquires dynamic team member

TOURISM is everyone’s business according to Kay Robertson, Ugu South Coast Tourism‘s dynamic new marketing and events manager.

If you don’t believe her, just spend a few minutes with her. She will soon convince you that all South Coast residents, whether or not they have tourism-related businesses, have stakes in the local tourism industry.

As it was the South Coast’s premier industry it was up to each and every one of us to keep the economy healthy by promoting our area as a first class holiday destination, she pointed out.

“It is vital that we are all friendly and welcoming to our visitors. Whether you own a laundromat, a restaurant, a shop or any other business, your smile will send out the right message,” she said.

Kay has many happy memories of South Coast family holidays and was thrilled to be able to make this idyllic spot her new home. As a holiday destination she believes it has huge potential and she was most enthusiastic about moving here.

Even taking up her appointment at the peak of the South Coast’s busiest season, with all its attendant problems and concerns, hasn’t dampened her enthusiasm.

Her attitude is catchy and she is absolutely convincing about the South Coast having far more going for it than most people realise.

“We need to look at the South Coast through fresh eyes, to see it the way our visitors see it. There are some challenges, but they are not insurmountable. Apart from the good value the South Coast offers as a family destination, it just has so much to attract visitors,” she said.

She pointed out there was something for everyone, from wonderful beaches, natural beauty, excellent birding and other eco-tourism opportunities to top-notch golf courses and other sporting facilities plus family adventures that ranged from extreme activities to visiting a coffee farm.

There was more than enough to ensure any family holiday would be jam-packed with adventures.

Hearing Kay talk about the importance of the small, simple ways in which we could all boost tourism in this area, it is easy to forget just how well qualified and technically equipped she is for her new position. She has a a warm, engaging personality and loves being involved in the people-orientated tourism industry.

She also has a strong journalistic and tourism background, with a particular focus on digital communications. She started out as a journalist for an online travel and trade publication, researching and writing online articles and managing an extensive global online travel advisory service.

Her career has also included stints with SA Tourism and Gauteng Tourism. However, she has made it her business to make the rapidly changing and advancing world of digital communications her speciality.

Over the years she has gained a huge amount of multi-media experience and know-how and she plans to sell the South Coast on all the digital and more conventional platforms available to her, including social media, print and simple word of mouth.

Talking about social media, she appealed to South Coast residents to be responsible about what they had to say about this area on platforms like Facebook.

“It is one thing to chat to buddies around a braai. It is another thing entirely to post something derogatory about our area on a social media site for all the world to see. Social media has many positive applications but only if users act with responsibility and good intent,” she said.

Part of her digital approach to promoting the South Coast will entail monitoring social media and counteracting negative perceptions and harmful statements with accurate information tactfully offered in a pleasant, non-authoritarian way. Tourism’s vivacious and charming new marketing manager is perfectly equipped to do this.

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