OUDTSHOORN NEWS - Staff at various businesses who regularly serve tourists in Oudtshoorn received their certificates as Tourism Ambassadors on Monday. 

The ceremony was held at Turnberry Boutique Hotel and follows the candidates' successful completion of two separate courses.

The Francois Ferreira Academy in George initiated these courses, which is aimed at people already employed in a front of house position in a hotel, restaurant, shop, petrol station and even car guards, and who come into contact with tourists.

The Ambassador's job is to enhance the experience of the tourist visiting Oudtshoorn, by being able to give them information on the many attractions in and around the town, and the Garden Route as a whole. In return, the tourist will spread the word of their positive experience, which will encourage more tourists to visit the area and boosting the economy of Oudtshoorn. 

The ambassadors are identified by a badge which states they are Oudtshoorn Tourist Ambassadors. The first course was held last year and was sponsored by the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHI) of the Western Cape.

The most recent course was held in May this year and was sponsored by Oudtshoorn and De Rust Tourism Office, chaired by Billy Engelbrecht, and by the Oudtshoorn Business Chamber, chaired by Gideon Badenhorst.

Candidates who completed the course sponsored by AHI with, in front from the left: Dr Willie Cilliers (Chairman of AHI Western Cape), Thandeka Diamond (Francois Ferreira Academy) and Denise Lindley, (vice principal of the Francois Ferreira Academy)  Photos supplied

Candidates who completed the course in May with, in front from the left: Billy Engelbrecht (Chairman of Oudtshoorn and De Rust Tourism), Denise Lindley, Gideon Badenhorst,(Chairman of Oudtshoorn Business Chamber) and Marcia Holm who was the lecturer of the course.

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