The retired Springbok rugby player has been appointed tourism ambassador for the area, which encompasses Gansbaai, Hangklip-Kleinmond, Hermanus and Stanford in an effort by Wesgro, the Western Cape’s official tourism, trade and investment agency, and Overstrand Municipality’s Tourism Department to drive tourism in a region which has many inviting attractions.

“Wesgro has played an intermediary role between the Overberg region and Bob, bringing together the two parties with the objective of leveraging Bob’s celebrity status and large network of social media followers to drive awareness of the region,” said Nils Flaatten, Wesgro CEO. “It is our intention to learn from this agreement and then replicate it in other areas to benefit tourism.”

Solomzi Madikane, Overstrand Municipality:  Director of Local Economic Development and Tourism, said the Tourism Ambassador Programme would play an important role in increasing and building a positive brand including the overall destination image of the Cape Whale Coast.”

“Bob will be introduced and exposed to some of the Overstrand’s local events and festivals and partaking in a variety of activities, giving him the opportunity to spread the word about this beautiful destination at local and international platforms. We feel proud to be the first region in the Western Cape to have its very own Tourism Ambassador,” Madikane added.

Bob has a close affinity to the region and is excited to take up his role as ambassador, “both my parents and my in-laws live in Hermanus so my family and I spend many happy weekends enjoying all this area has to offer,” Skinstad said at the launch event at the Cape Royale, announcing his involvement.

“My son and I also enjoy playing cricket on the beach in Hermanus, while my daughters swim with me or walk on the cliff path with my wife and I,” Skinstad said.

Today a businessman and rugby commentator, Skinstad is still keenly involved with many sporting pursuits including playing golf, cricket, surfing and cycling – all of which the Overstrand region caters to.

Nils Flaatten, CEO of Wesgro, said that Skinstad’s stature would assist in the marketing of the Overstrand region. “Bob will be experiencing all the Overberg has to offer, from shark cage diving to whale watching, wine tasting and horse riding and be able to promote these activities from a personal perspective,” Flaatten said. “It will also be fantastic to have someone who is as well-known as he is, attending events such as the Hermanus Whale Festival or the Blues Music Festival in Kleinmond.”

In keeping with tradition, Skinstad will take part in the Stanford Boxing Day Cricket Festival as he does every year, “hopefully this year the added incentive of being the Ambassador of the region will bring me luck with bat and ball in hand,” added Skinstad.

Follow Bob on Twitter here and read about my favourite getaways in and around the Western Cape here.