Knysna Tourism Board responds

Dear Knysna Tourism Members, 

Shaun van Eck

Further to my e-mail to all members on 10 December 2010 in regard to the Board’s decision not to renew Shaun van Eck, Knysna Tourism CEO’s contract, it has come to the Board’s attention that various members of Knysna Tourism are contacting members of the Association directly, requesting them to sign a petition. This petition is in favour of calling a Special General Meeting with a view to voting out the current Board, overturning the Board’s decision and renewing the CEO’s contract. 

The Board is very concerned that division within Knysna Tourism between its members could have long-lasting negative effects on the future of our town and the business interests of all involved in tourism in the area. 

Members of Knysna Tourism have trusted the Board so far categorically to make decisions on their behalf, steering Knysna Tourism in the right direction strategically, and we would like you to consider the following before taking any action that could have dire consequences for the organisation as a whole: 

The information contained within the letter attached to the petition is not factually correct – Shaun’s contract ends on 30 June 2011 with no expectation of renewal – this fact is stipulated in his contract;

Shaun was given no expectation of renewal by any Board member, either in writing or verbally, other than my personal support and encouragement of Shaun, which I provided him with in good faith.  This support could not be misconstrued as a reasonable expectation of renewal on behalf of the entire Board – whenever the renewal was discussed I made it clear that it was a  process that had to be followed;

Shaun is welcome to submit his application for the position when it is advertised and the Board would consider his application with any others received;

We are concerned that an attempt to overturn the current Board and reverse a decision made in the best interests of Knysna Tourism will reflect negatively on our ability as a company to manage our affairs in an orderly and responsible manner, and this in turn have the potential to have a seriously negative effect on the relationship between Knysna Tourism and our largest benefactor – the Knysna Municipality;

Reversing Board decisions creates a dangerous precedent and careful consideration should be given to this for all future Board decisions, which may need to be made. 

I want to assure you that the Board has acted fairly and with procedural accuracy, and the decision taken was a strategic one in the best interests of Knysna Tourism and its members.  

Knysna Tourism has always been a credible organisation, well respected in the global tourism industry, and as a Board we would like to keep that reputation intact. 

If you do not understand the decision taken by us, or need clarification on any of the above, please feel free to contact either myself on 083 448 7401 or Colleen Harding, my Vice-Chairman on 083 260 6644, and we will be happy to assist. 

Regards, 

Clive Battell 

Chairman

Knysna Tourism 

For your reference:

The Knysna Tourism Board consists of three Council representatives (non elective), the Mayor, Municipal Manager and the Mayoral Committee member: Community Services, and six members representing tourism organisations in the area. 

These members are elected for a three year term at the annual AGM in May, and currently are: 

Myself, as chairman and GM of Knysna Hollow;

Vice-chairperson Colleen Harding from Hide-Away Guest House, KAA Marketing Committee Member

Jannie Gie, GM of Featherbed Nature Reserve

 Mike Mills, GM of Belvidere Manor

Mark Dixon from Garden Route Trail in Sedgefield

Andile Namntu, Public Relations Manager of the Garden Route National Park, SANParks

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