Hermanus is perhaps one of the most beautiful parts of the Western Cape, offering visitors and holidaymakers everything they could dream of experiencing. Guesthouse owners are rightly excited about the boom in business they can expect this summer season.
“We wish our town’s hospitality sector everything of the best for this very busy time of the year,” said Marius Boshoff, branch manager of Fidelity ADT in Hermanus. “Tourism and hospitality is a key driver of the province’s economy and it requires all of us to work together to make this another successful holiday.”
A good place to start for owners and managers of accommodation facilities and guesthouses is to inform visitors about everything they need to know.
Boshoff suggests guests be given a handy contact list with the most important emergency numbers, so they can easily and quickly call for help when something goes wrong.
Hermanus is rich with options and attractions to choose from, so a handy resource is also available from https://hermanus-tourism.co.za/).
“Make sure your guests also understand that personal safety remains a priority, no matter where you are on holiday,” Boshoff said. “By being vigilant and aware of one’s surroundings you can already make a massive difference. Crime is sadly an unavoidable reality for all towns in South Africa, but Hermanus has a secret weapon – its community, and its law-enforcement and security role-players. We’ve already seen how this team works together to drive crime out of the area, and it is this team effort that we need now again.”
Hermanus and Vermont, together, have a long list of community organisations and other role-players dedicated to safety and security, and guests need to know which bodies are active in that specific part of the area.
“For example, tell your guests about Hermanus Public Protection and what their footprint area is or introduce them to the neighbourhood watch that looks after your street,” said Boshoff. “This kind of information is important to share.
“If you have a security system installed at your guest house, please show your guests how to use it. If you haven’t tested the system yourself then it is a very good idea to organise a technician to come and test it before the holidaymakers arrive.”
Boshoff suggests keeping these emergency numbers readily available for your guests:Emergency Services:. Hermanus Public Protection Control Centre: 087 550 5295. Onrus/Vermont SRA: 079 469 8606. SAPS: 028 313 5300. Fire Department: 028 312 2400. Overstrand Law Enforcement: 028 313 8000 / 8111. National Sea Rescue Institute: 087 094 9774. Ambulance: 10177. Provincial Ambulances: 028 492 0032. CMC: 066 222 7219
