3 February 2025 Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Celebrates a Successful Holiday Season at Its Resorts
Media Release: Garden Route District Municipality Celebrates a Successful Holiday Season at Its Resorts
3 February 2025
The Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) annually reflects on the holiday season and how its municipal resorts faired. This year, the two coastal resorts—Victoria Bay and Swartvlei Caravan Parks—led the way. This past season was marked by high occupancy rates, excellent guest feedback, and an overwhelming sense of achievement across our facilities.
Victoria Bay and Swartvlei Caravan Parks
Both Victoria Bay and Swartvlei Caravan Parks recorded occupancy rates exceeding 80% during the season, with Victoria Bay maintaining a steady flow of visitors well into February. These resorts welcomed a mix of loyal regulars who return year after year, along with an impressive 50% of first-time visitors. Many of these newcomers fell in love with the breathtaking views, the serene atmosphere, and the unique experience of waking up to the sound of waves from their camping plots.
According to Acting Resort Manager, Medron Bussack, the past holiday season stood out as one of the most harmonious in recent memory, with minimal complaints. Any issues raised were promptly addressed and resolved internally, showcasing the staff’s commitment to guest satisfaction.
“Guest feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with many praising the exceptional service, cleanliness, and well-maintained facilities, including the communal and private ablutions. I believe the impact of our social media marketing was evident, with numerous new guests discovering our resorts through Facebook posts and other platforms. Unfortunately, due to high demand, we were unable to accommodate all inquiries, underscoring the popularity of these destinations,” Bussack said.
Looking ahead, GRDM remains focused on enhancing all facilities within the constraints of the municipal budget to ensure an even better experience for visitors.
Victoria Bay Caravan Park
Swartvlei Caravan Park
De Hoek Mountain Resort also had a successful season, surpassing the previous year’s booking numbers. While a significant portion of guests were loyal regulars, the resort also welcomed an encouraging number of first-time visitors.
Feedback from De Hoek guests was both positive and constructive. During the arrival and departure of visitors, reception staff actively promoted special off-season packages. Throughout the season, resort staff upheld a high standard of hospitality—cleaning the communal camping site bathrooms three times daily, addressing concerns around the clock, and ensuring every guest felt welcomed and well cared for. A big festival was also held at the resort, spanning over four days.
De Hoek Mountain Resort
One of the most significant challenges this past season was the temporary closure of the resort due to flood damage. The resort was shut down on 5 June 2024 and remained closed for over six months. During this time, we received numerous inquiries from clients eagerly awaiting its reopening.
“When we finally reopened on 1 December 2024, we were pleasantly surprised by the high turnout, particularly in the day visitors’ area. Guests were delighted by the affordability of our entrance fees, which contributed to strong attendance figures. However, the chalet and camping sections experienced slower occupancy, as many clients had already made alternative arrangements. Fortunately, we saw a steady increase in bookings, particularly in the last three weeks of December,” said Acting Resort Manager, Daryl Rondganger.
One ongoing challenge has been managing baboon activity around the chalets. Fortunately, staff have identified and successfully implemented several effective measures to mitigate this issue.
With the recent upgrade to the old cement road, accessibility from Oudtshoorn has greatly improved, making travel to the resort easier and more convenient for guests. This positive development is expected to enhance the visitor experience and contribute to the resort’s future success. One of the chalets were also upgraded – chalet four by the swimming pools. More are planned to be upgraded in due course.
Calitzdorp Hot Springs
With plans to upgrade facilities and further leverage social media marketing and word-of-mouth, we aim to build on this momentum and continue positioning our resorts as the preferred holiday destinations.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our guests for their ongoing support and invaluable feedback. GRDM remains committed to providing exceptional experiences for everyone who visits our resorts and looks forward to welcoming both returning and new guests in the seasons ahead.
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