Knysna Tourism hopes to hone locals’ business acumen with a series of workshops

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Knysna Tourism hopes to hone locals’ business acumen with a series of workshops

Knysna Tourism hopes to hone locals’ business acumen with a series of workshops

As Knysna’s local economy is driven by the tourism industry, Knysna Tourism is facilitating a number of workshops in a bid to enable local emerging tourism enterprises and other interested parties to take their place at the forefront of this exciting industry.

According to Knysna Tourism Ceo Shaun van Eck the workshops will cover a broad spectrum of integral aspects of the industry. “Ranging from business- and event management to an introduction to the tourism industry and conducting business with greater respect for the environment, these workshops are sure to provide participants with a wealth of information.”

Glendyrr Fick, Knysna Tourism Development Manager, said that the series kicked off with a workshop on business management. “This workshop was presented by Anton Ressel from Anton Ressel Consulting, who was contracted by the Cape Craft and Design Institute (CCDI), and took place in the Knysna town library from the 24th until the 26th of January.”

“Nine local crafters attended this workshop, supported by Knysna Municipality,” said Fick. “Crafters tend to concentrate more on the creative aspect of their enterprise. This workshop gave them some practical pointers on how to look after the business side of things too.”

“Mike Hampton from Garden Route Ubuntu Music presented an events management workshop in the Knysna Tourism boardroom on 26 and 27 January,” Fick continued. “This course presented thirteen participants with previous experience in event management with the legal requirements and logistical arrangements necessary for organising a successful event. This popular workshop will be repeated: please visit our office in the Main Road to register.”

Van Eck said that the series of workshops will continue into February. “On Valentine’s Day, 14 February, we hope to instil a love for our industry with participants when the Tourism Enterprise Programme will present a tourism awareness programme in our boardroom. On 23 February Sue Swain, the biomimicry facilitator appointed by Knysna Municipality and driving force behind the Naturally Knysna campaign, will host a Naturally Knysna awareness information session, also in our boardroom. This session is specifically aimed at our local Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises, or SMME’s.”

“These are only the workshops we have planned for the first two months of what promises to be a busy and exciting 2011,” concluded van Eck. “We will continue to bring experts in their field to share their knowledge with our local tourism operators. In this way we are not only ensuring that our local enterprises gain knowledge – we are giving them an opportunity to make a real difference in their lives, the lives of their families – and the life of Knysna, our beautiful town.”

Nine local crafters attended the business management workshop presented by Anton Ressel (back row, 3rd from right), hosted by Knysna Tourism in conjunction with Knysna Municipality and the Cape Craft and Design Institute. With them is Glendyrr Fick, Knysna Tourism Development Manager (back row, 3rd from left). Sikanyiso Makgodla, Knysna Municipality Arts and Culture Officer (front row, 2nd from left), also joined the group.

Mike Hampton (back, 2nd from left), presented an events management workshop at Knysna Tourism. With him are Knysna Tourism Development Manager Glendyrr Fick (back, left) and a number of the attendees.

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