Mossel Bay taxis set to join the tourism industry

FOLLOWING a successful collaboration between a taxi owner and a tour operator, during which a total of 800 people were transported to and from a conference and a wedding in the town, Mossel Bay’s taxi associations are to seek entry to the tourism economy.


Mobati and Ncedo, two of the associations, met recently to discuss a strategy for tapping into the benefits that could come from events such as the 2010 Fifa World Cup, visits by cruise liners and the presence of independent South African and international travellers.

During the meeting it was agreed that drivers and owners needed training so that they could understand the needs of the tourism industry. Fixed-zone prices, acceptable and accessible drop-off and pick-up points and a system of identification were also required.

Neels Zietsman, chairman of Mossel Bay Tourism, said he was excited about the idea of welcoming the taxi associations into the local tourism industry.

“Mossel Bay is a unique and exciting place, and offers an almost incredible number of things to do and having the taxis available to visitors will make many of these things more accessible and therefore more viable,” he said.