点评:On Sunday, 12 July, I visited Benguela Cove Wine Estate with my family. As a qualified tour guide with 18 years of experience, I have always taken pride in showcasing the exceptional destinations that the Western Cape has to offer. Our intention was to spend a relaxing afternoon together by taking the children to play putt-putt at the Adventure Park while sharing the beauty of Benguela Cove, including its stunning lakes, sculptures, and family-friendly environment.
Unfortunately, what should have been an enjoyable family outing became one of the most unpleasant experiences I have ever had at a tourism establishment.
From the moment we arrived, I noticed that the owner, Nick Rea, appeared unwelcoming. His facial expressions and demeanour made us feel uncomfortable, and we decided it would be best to leave the estate without continuing with our visit.
As we walked back to our vehicle in the parking area, Mr Rea followed us and approached us in an aggressive and confrontational manner. He began verbally abusing us, accusing us of not purchasing anything from the estate. During the confrontation, he specifically stated that we had used the estate's bathroom without buying anything and appeared to take great offence to that. He repeatedly told us that we were not welcome there and shouted that we must "F**k off the estate" because we had not made a purchase.
The owner's aggressive and abusive behaviour towards my family was completely unacceptable. No visitor should be subjected to verbal abuse, intimidation, or be told to leave in such an offensive manner simply because they had not yet made a purchase. Regardless of the circumstances, all guests deserve to be treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
As someone who has worked as a qualified tour guide for 18 years and regularly recommends destinations to both local and international visitors, I have never experienced treatment of this nature. The incident left my family shocked, humiliated, and deeply disappointed.
Based on the way we were treated, I left feeling that the incident may have been racially motivated. While I cannot know Mr Rea's intentions, that was genuinely how the encounter made me feel.
Benguela Cove is undeniably a beautiful estate with much to offer families and visitors. Sadly, the owner's conduct completely overshadowed the beauty of the property and the experience it promises. It is deeply disappointing that a place with such potential could leave visitors feeling so unwelcome.
I sincerely hope Benguela Cove investigates this incident and takes meaningful steps to ensure that every visitor is treated with dignity, respect, and professionalism, regardless of whether they make a purchase. No family should leave a tourism destination feeling intimidated, verbally abused, or unwelcome after simply intending to enjoy what the estate has to offer.
翻译:7月12日周日,我和家人一同游览了本格拉湾葡萄酒庄园。作为一名拥有18年从业经验的合格导游,我一直以能够向人们介绍西开普省那些绝美的旅游胜地而自豪。我们原本的计划是带孩子们去冒险公园玩推杆游戏,借此共度一个轻松愉快的下午;同时,也让他们领略本格拉湾庄园的魅力——那里有如画的湖泊、精美的雕塑,还有非常适合家庭游玩的环境。
可惜的是。本应是一次愉快的家庭出游,却变成了我在各类旅游场所经历过的最糟糕的体验之一。
从我们抵达的那一刻起,我就注意到店主尼克·里亚显得很不热情。他的表情和态度让我们感到很不自在,于是我们决定干脆离开,不再继续参观。
当我们步行返回停车场的车辆旁时……里亚先生跟着我们,以极具攻击性和挑衅的方式靠近我们。他开始辱骂我们,指责我们没有从该地产内购买任何商品。在争执过程中,他特别指出我们没买任何东西却使用了地产内的洗手间,对此显得极为生气。他反复声称我们不受欢迎,还大喊让我们“滚出这片地产”,就因为我们没有消费。这位店主对我家人的粗鲁与辱骂行为绝对不可接受。任何顾客都不应仅仅因为尚未购物就遭到言语羞辱、恐吓,或被以如此冒犯的方式驱赶。无论在什么情况下,所有客人都应得到礼貌、体面与尊重的对待。作为一名拥有资质的导游,我从事这一行业已有18年,还经常向本地及外国游客推荐旅游目的地。但我从未遭遇过此类对待。这一事件让我的家人感到震惊、屈辱且极其失望。
从我们所受的对待来看,我觉得这件事很可能是出于种族动机。虽然我无法确知里亚先生的真实意图,但这次经历确实给我留下了这样的印象。本格拉湾无疑是一处风景宜人、值得家庭和游客前来游览的胜地。遗憾的是,业主的行为彻底破坏了这里的美好形象以及它本应带给游客的愉快体验。如此充满潜力的地方,却让游客感到不受欢迎,实在令人遗憾。
我衷心希望本格拉湾方面能彻查此事,并采取切实措施来确保每位游客都能受到有尊严、受尊重且专业化的对待。无论他们是否购买商品。任何家庭都绝不应仅仅因为想享受旅游地所提供的服务,离开时却感到受到威胁、言语羞辱或被冷待。