OUDTSHOORN NEWS - The Oudtshoorn and De Rust Tourism Bureau, along with its members, hosted their annual welcoming campaign outside De Rust on Saturday 13 December greeting holidaymakers as they arrived in the region for the festive season. This year, they did it in collaboration with the Garden Route and Klein Karoo Tourism.

According to tourism manager, Corleen Barnard, visitors received welcome bags containing holiday guides, discount pamphlets, treats and bottled water.

“We welcome holidaymakers to our region every year. We do this together with our members, Oudsthoorn municipal traffic officials, municipal law enforcement, provincial traffic and police. 

“This year, the new mayor of the Garden Route District Municipality, Marais Kruger, also joined the campaign,” Barnard said.

Mayor Marais Kruger welcoming tourists. Photo supplied

The welcoming initiative is part of the bureau’s ongoing efforts to promote tourism in the Oudtshoorn and De Rust areas, ensuring that visitors feel at home from the moment they arrive.

From the left are Dinah Josephs (principal) and Stephanie Strydom (Oudtshoorn and De Rust tourism), with the tourism office's mascot and toddlers from the school. Photo supplied

In addition to supporting tourism, the Oudtshoorn and De Rust Tourism Bureau also reached out to the local community earlier this month by spreading festive cheer at Helderliggies-kleuterskool. Every learner at the school received a Christmas present as part of the bureau’s annual outreach project.

Barnard said the initiative is held every year and remains close to the hearts of the bureau and its members, highlighting their commitment not only to tourism but also to giving back to the community.

“We would like to extend our sincere thanks to all our sponsors who generously donated gifts this year, helping to ensure the success of our annual project and supporting the promotion of tourism in our region.”

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