Knysna Visitor Information

Despite fears of the global financial situation having a negative influence on the local tourism industry, Knysna has once again experienced a super summer season.

Knysna Tourism CEO Shaun van Eck said that season seems to have started slightly earlier than last year. “And it is definitely lasting longer than last year, a fact that we attribute to the internal provinces’ extended school holidays. Buffelsbaai, for example, was still teeming with visitors during the week starting on 9 January.”

“This extended season follows good months of October and November when we welcomed a significant number of international visitors,” said van Eck. “While we have seen a general improvement over all sectors in comparison to last year, our activities have seen an especially beneficial season due to the fantastic weather we have been experiencing.”

Van Eck said that members of the organisation confirmed the fact that a great season was had by all. “According to a survey sent to our members early in December, 29.7% of respondents expected their occupancy levels to be the same as last year. According to a follow-up survey sent to our members during the second week of January, 30.2% confirmed that this year’s occupancies were better than last year, with 18.9% of respondents ticking the much better than last year-box.”

“The follow-up survey shows that most respondents had confirmed occupancy levels of between 76% and 100% for the period 18 to 22 December, over 75% of respondents recorded confirmed occupancy levels of over 95% for the period 23 December to 2 January and the period 3 to 10 January reflects that of 18 to 22 December.”

Knysna Accommodation Association (KAA) Committee Member Colleen Harding confirmed that members of the KAA experienced an excellent season. “In some cases occupancies for the month of December 2011 as a whole were higher than those for 2010. The website www.travelknysna.com played a vital role in assisting visitors not having made prior reservations as they were able to check the 14 day availability calendar to ascertain which of the KAA members in fact did have last minute availability. As a result, business stayed in Knysna!”

Van Eck said that Knysna welcomed more domestic travellers this year. “While responses to our survey vary, it would seem that the majority of members hosted more South African visitors than in previous years. We also saw numerous holiday makers from Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, India and South America.”

“And we know that our visitors enjoyed their stay in Knysna,” said van Eck. “We have had one or two complaints about car guards here or there, but we have also received very good comments on the cleanliness and general state of our tourist facilities.”

Van Eck urged members to make the most of what the season had to offer and to hold on to what it delivered. “All trends and analyses intimate that 2012 is going to be a tough year,” he cautioned. “And unfortunately the first expense that many people cut back on is travelling.”

“Knysna is however known as the eventing capital of the Garden Route and with events such as the Garden Route 300, Speed Festival and Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival fast approaching, we are sure to make it through the year and, before we know it, we’ll be enjoying another brilliant summer season.”