IN an effort to encourage visitors to the Overberg region in the Western Cape by making them feel welcome, the Overberg Tourism Association (OTA) has initiated a "Be a Host" programme which encourages the community to act as "hosts" to tourists.
According to marketing manager for OTA, Catherine Grant-Smith, the 16 tourism bureaus in the region have committed themselves to the project in which they nominate a member of the community who has delivered a service to a visitor, beyond the call of duty. A "Host of the Month" is then chosen for the region.
Grant-Smith says this is a campaign rather than a competition as no prizes can be won, although the local press has promised to lend publicity to the drive.
The community can also nominate a person by contacting their local tourism bureau.
Overberg's Host of the Year - taken from the monthly winners - will be announced on International Tourism Day on September 27.
(Adele Mackenzie)
