The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World is boosting tourism to Port Elizabeth by offering special accommodation deals in the luxurious Courtyard Suite Hotel.

During February over 550 holders of gold Most Valued Guest (MVG) cards spent a night in the hotel for 50 points – the equivalent of R50 for a room which normally costs over R500 a night.

MVG card holders are also being treated to breakfasts in the Bayside Pantry for 10 points a person.

“These specials are attracting people from all around the country to Port Elizabeth, and are part of our commitment to developing Eastern Cape tourism” says The Boardwalk marketing manager Shaun van Eck.

The promotion will continue, but the hotel rate will be increased to 100 points, which is still good value for money, he says.

“Our top MVG gold card holders are quite happy fly or drive to Port Elizabeth for the pleasure of staying in a four-star hotel offering sea views from every room for the equivalent of R100 a night,” he says.

A further attraction is the introduction of a monthly dinner/dance in the Tsitsikamma Conference Centre for MVG Gold Card holders.

Every second month there will be a dinner/dance for MVG Silver Card holders, who will have to redeem points to attend.

“Both gold and silver MVG card holders are also welcome to join us for special weekly events in the SuperSport Arena,” says Mr van Eck.

The 64-suite Courtyard Suite hotel, which opened in December 2000, is becoming a firm favourite with international visitors, says general manager Paul Kelley.

“Around 20 per cent of our guests are international travellers.”

Both business people and tourists are using the hotel.

A number of high-flying business people are making the Courtyard Suite a home from home.

“Every suite is equipped with a kitchen. Anyone wanting to prepare food in the room can fill in a shopping list and we’ll go out and buy the meals and treats for them.

“This is particularly popular with our long stay business guests who just want a bite to eat while they work in their rooms,” says Mr Kelley.

The hotel is also attracting a new type of foreign tourist.

“What’s is interesting is that most of that the majority of tourists staying at the hotel are on self-drive holidays. They aren’t part of tour groups,” he adds.

The majority of foreign visitors are from Britain, France and Germany.