Delayed infrastructure repairs in EC coastal towns a hinderance to tourism

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EAST LONDON – The Eastern Cape is known for its pristine coastline.
It’s a playground for many ocean species and a wonderland for tourists, both local and international.
The Wild Coast in particular, is a major tourist destination with some of the country’s most picturesque spots.
Locals say infrastructure problems and municipal mismanagement are killing small coastal towns.
It could cost you as little as R1 for a ferry between the towns of Centane and Kei Mouth.
A fare that vendors NoNational and Nolast Plaat welcome greatly.
They have been selling beads to tourists visiting Kei Mouth for several years. 
The experience is also a rare one for tourists, who are able to load their vehicles for around R150, and enjoy some of the most unforgettable experiences the Eastern Cape has to offer. Despite some of the towns’ success stories – there are challenges that could be avoided.
Locals say Kei Mouth could be great again if the municipality did not leave a popular caravan park abandoned.
Meanwhile municipal manager here Lawrence Mambila told eNCA that they will be leasing the caravan park at the end of the financial year.
In addition, a bidding process will be open to anyone interested to run the business.
Nearly 300 kilometres from Kei Mouth lies another Eastern Cape gem.
Coffee Bay is nestled between beautiful beaches, rolling hills and green lush plains.
It is an experience that the OR Tambo District Municipality hopes will draw more international visitors. The poor road infrastructure is proving to be a hindrance. Its two top coastal towns Port St Johns and Coffee Bay have been ravaged by severe floods in recent years. These disasters have not only led to the loss of many lives, but also added to delays in fixing key routes, for tourists to reach these majestic destinations. The province undoubtedly has some of the country’s most underused and enjoyed hidden gems and with much-needed investment from government and private business. It has been proven through numbers that tourism contributes significantly to South Africa’s GDP.
In the Eastern Cape, opportunities exist, for one of the country’s poorer provinces to thrive.