Media Release. 23 February 2010. Mossel Bay Tourism

Mossel Bay Keeps Rates Low During World Cup

Mossel Bay’s accommodation providers and tourism product owners are planning to attract both South Africans and foreign visitors this winter by charging their normal low season rates during the course of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“As a result of the media focus on accommodation and transport prices and possible price gouging during the World Cup, we asked our members to mail us their World Cup period rates – and none of those who responded will be charging anything more than they would during the rest of our low season, which stretches from just after Easter until well into September,” said Mossel Bay Tourism’s Marcia Holm.

“Once again, Mossel Bay has proved itself to be one of South Africa’s most affordable holiday destinations, especially when you consider that we have an incredibly broad spectrum of accommodation – from ocean-front camping sites and 4-star hotels to mountainside resorts and self-catering units.”

She said that the biggest attractions for Mossel Bay in winter were the same as its biggest attractions in summer – it’s warm, stable weather and its natural environment.

“With more than 300 days of sunshine in every 365, our visitors can enjoy our beaches, the warm Indian Ocean, our fynbos, our game reserves, and the Outeniqua Mountains every day of the year, and our accommodation providers have taken full advantage of both the weather and the environment in the establishment of their businesses to best suit their guests.

“This is also reflected in the cross-section of members who replied to our survey.

“So, for instance, during the period of the World Cup – and for the rest of our winter season – you can hire a caravan stand for R100 per night, or a 4 bedroom, self-catering beach house from R1,200.00 per night at the ATKV Hartenbos Resort; you can stay in the 4-star Eight Bells Mountain Inn on a bed and breakfast basis from R500.00 per person per night; you can rent a 2 bedroom self-catering apartment at Anchor House on the Mossel Bay Golf Estate for R650 per night (a price which includes registration as a guest of the golf course, so that you can play at members’ rates); or you can enjoy dinner, bed and breakfast with two game drives at the Garden Route Game Lodge (an Official accommodation provider to the 2010 FIFA World Cup) from R965 per person per night,” she said.

Ms. Holm said that it was important to note that these were rack rates – and not special offers.

“I really want to emphasise that everyone can find value for money in Mossel Bay, which is first and foremost a child-friendly, family-oriented holiday resort town,” she said.

Other rates quoted in the survey included:

• Avenues Guesthouse – bed and breakfast at R520 per room (per night (www.avenues-guesthouse.com);
• Blommekloof Cottage – from R600 per night for a 3 bed room, 6-sleeper self-catering cottage (http://www.ruiterbos.com/blommekloof.php?item=3);
• Cheetah Lodge – bed and breakfast from R375 per person sharing per night; R800 per night for a 4-person family room (www.cheetahlodge.com);
• Pansy Cove Self Catering Apartments – from R 1,640 per night for stays of 21 or more nights, to R 2,000 per night for short stays of 3 to 7 nights in a 3 bedroom, 6 bed apartment (www.pansycove.co.za);
• Fairways 4 star self catering accommodation – from R190 per person per day for 4 guests in a 2 bedroom, all en-suite apartment (fairways.sc@gmail.com)
• Green Door B&B and Backpackers – from R500.00 for a double, sea facing room (B&B) or R100.00 per night for backpackers (bed only) (greendoorbb@mweb.co.za);
• Kay Cera B&B and Self Catering Guest Flats – Animal friendly accommodation from R390 per night for two people sharing (kaycera@yahoo.com);
• Nyaru Game Lodge – Bed and breakfast at R500, and dinner, bed and breakfast at R600 per person sharing, with quad bike safaris at R450 per person, and 4×4 safaris at R250 per person (www.nyarugame.co.za)
• Santos Express – cabins from R190 per person sharing and dormitory accommodation from R100 per person per night (www.santosexpress.co.za)
• Summer Dream – self-catering accommodation from R200 per person sharing for three nights or more (www.summerdream.co.za)

Ms. Holm said that Mossel Bay’s adventure operators were also keeping their prices in line with their normal winter season rates and that, for example, Mossel Bay Deep Sea Adventures offered 6-hour fishing charters for R550 per person (including all tackle and bait), or 3-hour trips for R300 – and that this was the same rate they were charging in 2008.

“The only gouging you’re likely to see in Mossel Bay during this year’s World Cup will be the gouges your kids dig into the clean sand of our beaches,” she said.

More information:

• Anchor House – www.anchorhouse.co.za;
• ATKV Hartenbos – www.atkv.org.za;
• Eight Bells Mountain Inn – www.eightbells.co.za;
• Garden Route Game Lodge    - www.grgamelodge.co.za;
• Mossel Bay Deep Sea Adventures – www.deepseaadventures.co.za.
• Or search www.visitmosselbay.co.za

ENDS 823 WORDS

Tags: 2010, mossel bay, rates