By Nangamso Mabindla
26 August 2005

FEEL free to fly, drive and cruise with us - we will turn a one-time encounter into a memorable experience. This is the word of Tourism Buffalo City acting chief executive Darby Gounden, who officially launched tourism month last night.

The occasion was attended by, among others, new Tourism Buffalo City board chairperson Malixole Mandulo, MEC for Economic Affairs, Environment and Tourism Andre de Wett, and MEC for Local Government Sam Kwelita.

"September is very significant. It is not only a month where everything in our environment comes alive, but [it is time] for us, in the tourism industry, to celebrate tourism month," Gounden said.

This tourism month, the agency will first pay increased attention to its own people, inviting them to be tourists in Buffalo City.

"The activities that we put together give us an opportunity to expose the city's most treasured attractions. We hope that these expeditions into our city will make our citizens more knowledgeable about their city."

Gounden said the agency's planned events for tourism month included a sea cruise on the Ballyoo on 2 and 20 September, township tours on 5 and 21 September, train trips to Thomas River in Cathcart, and shebeen tours.

Citizens would be invited to make their mark in the ever-popular Daily Dispatch Fun Run. Then jazz musicians would slow things down a notch when they performed at Marina Glen on 4 September.

De Wett said the tourism agency was ready to make September a month to remember. However, the city needed to focus on giving good service to local and international tourists.

"Remember that one satisfied customer will talk about our city and one will turn into 20. But the opposite is also true. So, to sell our business, we need to ensure that we offer world class service," De Wett added.

The occasion was also used to launch Tourism Buffalo City's electronic newsletter, which is aimed at marketing the city.