Louis Harris – owner of The Point Hotel, the man who restructured Mossel Bay Tourism and is now the town’s official coordinator for the 2010 FIFA World Cup - has won a special award from the Western Cape’s Provincial Minister of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Garth Strachan.
Candidates for the award were judged on their outstanding contribution to the promotion of tourism in the Province; the extent of publicity they generated for tourism; the uniqueness and value of their contribution; the inspiration they provided and the example they set for the broader community; and their environmental management ethics and their actions in this regard.
Mossel Bay Tourism’s Chairman, Neels Zietsman - who nominated Mr Harris - accepted the award on his behalf and said that he delighted but not surprised that Mr Harris had won. “Louis Harris is an incredibly hard worker and a remarkable administrator, marketer and entrepreneur who has improved the lives of many people in Mossel Bay and throughout South Africa, and we consider ourselves incredibly lucky to have him on our team.
The Mayor of Mossel Bay, Alderlady Marie Ferreira, handed Louis Harris his Minister's Award for his services to tourism during a cocktails function at the Santos Express on Wednesday evening.
Mr Harris was unable to receive the accolade from the Minister in person as he was in Argentina on official business at the time of last week's Awards Ceremony; it was collected on his behalf by the Chairman of Mossel Bay Tourism, Neels Zietsman. A full report on the Award was published in the Advertiser last week; it can also be found on line at www.visitmosselbay.co.za/media. For the results of Mr Harris' trip to Argentina, see today's front page article: "Argentina to Teach Spanish in Mossel Bay Ahead of 2010."
“He almost single-handedly turned Mossel Bay Tourism around when it faltered in 2005, and since his appointment as our 2010 coordinator he’s brought his usual strategic genius and incredible energy to making sure that the town will feature prominently in the event. “Even though we aren’t a host city and we won’t be seeing any of the games, Mossel Bay is the ideal base camp town, and we’re hoping that Louis’ input will ensure that one of the more prominent national teams settles here in 2010 - and hopefully it’ll be the winning team, of course.
“But whether or not we do become a base camp town, Louis has been successful in ensuring that the Eden District’s 2010 media hub will be established in Mossel Bay. “This is typical of the kind of results that follow him wherever he goes.”In responding to the announcement, he wrote, “Obviously I am overwhelmed, but I’m also very grateful for the part which I have been able to play both in the past and now though my involvement in 2010.
“I’ve been involved in community work (if that’s what you can call it) for many years - initially as a councillor, later on in tourism and now with the 2010 event - and some of us do this voluntary and purely because we have a passion or a sense of responsibility towards the people.
“You don’t expect any thank you's for what you do - and sometimes you even wonder why you do it at all! But when a day like this comes along and you receive such great news it propels you into the next phase and helps you to carry on and make a further contribution.
“This is the greatest reward I have received in all my time of rendering service to the people. “The self satisfaction comes when we achieve something or meet the milestones - it comes when you can sense that you have made a change for the better!
“But nothing can be done without the involvement of other people - that team spirit I always talk about and which I believe you need in order to meet those milestones which sometimes feel far away .