By Nangamso Mabindla
12 May 2005

TOURISM Buffalo City will be pulling out all the stops to ensure that the city is more welcoming to the tourists who flock to the area each year.

This follows the "Welcome Campaign" that Tourism South Africa announced at the annual Tourism Indaba in Durban, held from 7 to 10 May.

"Our welcome campaign 'We can't wait to meet you', ties in well with Tourism SA's theme," said Darby Gounden, Tourism Buffalo City's acting head.

Recent research showed that tourists visiting the country complained about the attitude South Africans had towards them. Gounden said that in response to the findings, Tourism SA would focus on improving the experience visitors had in the country.

This would be done through billboards and signs, on which friendly welcome messages would be written.

Turning her attention to the role Tourism Buffalo City planned to play, Gounden said the organisation would be training tour operators, improving accommodation, and liaising with travel agents, tourism information officers and various other people in the industry.

"[Tourism SA] plans to encourage tourists to want to come to the country not only because of our beautiful tourist attractions, but also because of the warmth of our people," she said.

These tourists would then talk positively about the country when they returned to their homes.

Tourism Buffalo City recently launched its Birding Guide and a new tourism brochure to promote tourism to the city.