Buffalo City accommodation establishments are experiencing a boom due to today and Monday’s holidays.

There is a host of major sporting events bringing thousands of people into town which has filled hotels, guesthouses and self-catering accommodation.

The South African Seniors’ national golf championships has attracted more than 600 people for an event that started earlier this week and ends tomorrow.

Tomorrow also sees the start of the trials for the South African waveski team to take part in the world championships in Durban in July.

Former multiple waveski champion Kola le Roux estimates there are more than 100 people in the city as part of the team selection process that takes place at Queensberry Bay.

“Most of them have brought supporters and families with them and are looking forward to a hard competition and a fun weekend,” Le Roux said.

The Masters’ hockey tournament has also attracted about 800 people.

A derby between Paarl Boys High and Selborne has brought 20 rugby teams and their supporters into town.

And the nationally rated Algoa FM Canon Classic 100km cycle race on Sunday has brought about 600 cyclists from around the country into the city.

The seniors’ golf championships event director, David Yeo, estimated that their spend in the city would be “well into the millions”. He said a special programme had been put on for the golfers and their families.

“The seniors’ contestants have been playing golf all week and in many cases so have their wives but there have been a number of outings organised for them.

“Apart from playing at the East London and West Bank golf clubs, some of the players and their wives went to play at the Fish River on Tuesday and at Stutterheim.

“The supporters went bird watching at Chintsa, they have had a beach walk and have been given a tour of the DaimlerChrysler plant here,” Yeo said.

The group has also been on a night tour of the zoo and last night more than 200 people attended a dinner at a beachfront restaurant.

Although the event finishes tomorrow, Yeo said many of the competitors would either be staying in East London or visiting one of the nearby Wild Coast or Sunshine Coast resorts for the weekend.

Accommodation establishments all reported excellent occupancy rates.
Premier hotel group marketing manager Nola de Lange said the week had been fantastic.

Marketing manager of the Kat Leisure group Natalie Ristow said all the group’s resorts including those at Hogsback and Katberg were full.

Tourism Buffalo City’s management consultant Martin Kuchler said the drive to market the city as a sports tourism destination was paying off.