Welcome to the Buffalo City Tourism Hub
Updated: May 3, 2019
Buffalo City Metro Municipality has launched its first fully fledged tourism hub at the popular and easily accessible Orient Beach Complex on the East London beachfront.
The new hub serves as a dedicated Tourism Information Office to ensure visitors to the Metro have access to a wide range of information about the region’s many tourism hot spots, accommodation offerings, maps and other useful material.
It features an Arts and Crafts Curio Shop which will showcase items made by local artists, ideal for souvenir hunting, while an on-site internet café and free Wi-Fi zone will allow visitors to stay digitally connected, making it easier for tourists to reach and interact with local product owners and tourism operators.
Visitors and local residents will also be able to use the Tourism Hub as a central reservation location from where to book packaged tours and local excursions.
The new Buffalo City Tourism Hub, operated by the Directorate of Economic Development and Agencies, amplifies and consolidates the tourism and information services already offered at the Metro’s four satellite tourism offices at the East London Airport, in King William’s Town, at the Dimbaza Wall of Fame and Interpretative Centre and in the Hemingways Mall.
“A vibrant Tourism Hub symbolises the heartbeat of a tourist destination,” says Phindile Mavundla, Buffalo City’s General Manager: Tourism, Arts, Culture and Heritage.
“A lot of value and interest is lost when tourists do not have access to reliable information and are left to chance or direction by the public, which in itself could pose a risk for their safety.”
The Orient Complex was chosen as the site of the new Hub due to its centrality and ease of access, she said.
“The East London beachfront is a popular and well-trafficked area which has a concentration of accommodation establishments offering well over 2 000 beds. Orient Beach is also one of our most attractive and most popular beaches, with the Orient Complex offering ample parking space, including easy access and manoeuvrability for big coaches. “
The new Tourism Hub is only 15 minutes’ drive from the East London Airport and less than two minutes from the harbour.
“It will serve as the main port of call for tourists, positioning Buffalo City as a Gateway to the Wild Coast, Sunshine Coast and Mountain Escape,” Mavundla said.
Trading Hours: 9am – 5pm (weekdays) 8am – 1pm (weekends and on public holidays)
GPS Coordinates: S33°01’23.7” E27°4’54.5”
Connect with us: Tel: 043 736 3019 Email: tourismunit@buffalocity.gov.za