On Friday January 21, media reported that the Bayworld aquarium in Port Elizabeth was closing its doors after long-standing financial woes.
On Monday, Titus Chuene, Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) Marketing Manager told Tourism Update that the reports on the closure of Bayworld were incorrect.
Says Chuene: “Bayworld is not closing. They have been given a financial injection of R10,5 million from the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs.” The financial injection was announced at the Sports, Recreation, Arts and Culture Committee on Friday.
However, Chuene confirmed that some operations at Bayworld would be scaled down. “Some infrastructure that is old and unused will scaled down as it drains money and is unnecessary. The money will be used to revamp and upgrade the facilities.”
Media reports have also speculated that Bayworld’s financial dire straits may have been due to mismanagement of funds. Chuene said NMBT was not aware of any financial mismanagement.
Last year a campaign was initiated and launched by NMBT to save Bayworld, one of Port Elizabeth’s most well-known tourist attractions. The initiative aimed to raise around R300 000 to feed and provide medical care for the animals at Bayworld.
