P.E. braces for massive influx of Ironman visitors
TOURISM is expecting a boost as money starts rolling in with athletes, coaches and their families descending on Nelson Mandela Bay from around the country and overseas before the Spec-Savers Ironman South Africa 2007.
Hotels, accommodation venues, restaurants and tourist attractions are also bracing themselves for the descent of 1 600 athletes on the Bay for Sunday˜s race.
Everything is going exactly as planned and I think we are actually going to be ahead of time.
It is running a lot smoother this year than it did last year “ we are getting good at this now, enthused Keith Bowler, managing director of Triangle Sports South Africa.
According to statistics issued after the 2006 race, SA athletes generally stayed in the Bay for between four and 14 days, while international athletes stayed for seven to 14 days.
The event generated R86-million worth of economic benefits for Mandela Bay, with athletes and their companions spending an average of R24-million a day in the city.
Barnacle B&B owner Mandy McClean said she had been fully booked for two months already.
People book early for an international event like this. My neighbours are all full. It is just brilliant “ this is a late-season boost for us and an early Easter season rush.
All major hotels along the beachfront had only a room or two to spare, said David Thompson, general manager of the Marine Protea Hotel. Are we expecting the best weekend of the month? I would say 100 per cent, yes.
Both the Kelway and Paxton hotels are fully booked, according to reservation clerks and duty managers.
Garden Court hotel general manager Danie Smit concurred that a late-season boost was definitely expected, although he noted that most of his contingent came from the press, as athletes sometimes have very specialised needs and make use of accommodation like self-catering venues.
Tourism in Port Elizabeth is really starting to boom. People don’t go to Durban as much any more. They are moving down this way, Smit said.
Ironman enthusiasts and organisers are very excited about the triathlon.
Mandela Bay Tourism spokesman Phumeza Mgxashe said the influx of people into the metro was overwhelming. A car hire company had told her it had no vehicles available.
Last year, a record 25 000 spectators were recorded passing through the Boardwalk complex, which doubles as the Official Ironman City during Ironman Week “ starting tomorrow. This year organisers are expecting 30 000 supporters.
The SpecSavers Ironman South Africa 2007 takes place on Sunday, with a 7am start on Hobie Beach.
Article from http://www.theherald.co.za/
Book your Ironman car now at www.southafrica-carhire.com
Hotels, accommodation venues, restaurants and tourist attractions are also bracing themselves for the descent of 1 600 athletes on the Bay for Sunday˜s race.
Everything is going exactly as planned and I think we are actually going to be ahead of time.
It is running a lot smoother this year than it did last year “ we are getting good at this now, enthused Keith Bowler, managing director of Triangle Sports South Africa.
According to statistics issued after the 2006 race, SA athletes generally stayed in the Bay for between four and 14 days, while international athletes stayed for seven to 14 days.
The event generated R86-million worth of economic benefits for Mandela Bay, with athletes and their companions spending an average of R24-million a day in the city.
Barnacle B&B owner Mandy McClean said she had been fully booked for two months already.
People book early for an international event like this. My neighbours are all full. It is just brilliant “ this is a late-season boost for us and an early Easter season rush.
All major hotels along the beachfront had only a room or two to spare, said David Thompson, general manager of the Marine Protea Hotel. Are we expecting the best weekend of the month? I would say 100 per cent, yes.
Both the Kelway and Paxton hotels are fully booked, according to reservation clerks and duty managers.
Garden Court hotel general manager Danie Smit concurred that a late-season boost was definitely expected, although he noted that most of his contingent came from the press, as athletes sometimes have very specialised needs and make use of accommodation like self-catering venues.
Tourism in Port Elizabeth is really starting to boom. People don’t go to Durban as much any more. They are moving down this way, Smit said.
Ironman enthusiasts and organisers are very excited about the triathlon.
Mandela Bay Tourism spokesman Phumeza Mgxashe said the influx of people into the metro was overwhelming. A car hire company had told her it had no vehicles available.
Last year, a record 25 000 spectators were recorded passing through the Boardwalk complex, which doubles as the Official Ironman City during Ironman Week “ starting tomorrow. This year organisers are expecting 30 000 supporters.
The SpecSavers Ironman South Africa 2007 takes place on Sunday, with a 7am start on Hobie Beach.
Article from http://www.theherald.co.za/
Book your Ironman car now at www.southafrica-carhire.com
Labels: South Africa - Events
