The first question anyone who is thinking to relocating to a new area asks is, "What does this town need?"

Port Alfred may have been a bit belated in catching up with the property boom of recent years but maybe that is fortunate as property development is still seen as a golden opportunity in Ndlambe. In fact any business, trade or supplier even loosely allied to building can develop and thrive in today's climate. The keyword is "service" - the entrepreneur who delivers what he promises can only succeed. Recent newcomers to town have already recognised this need and set up businesses supplying bricks, kitchens & cupboards, cement, sanitary ware, tiles, furniture, appliances, garden requisites... The list goes on but the message is clear. The building boom is flourishing.

One of the most exciting building projects is at the entrance to Royal Port Alfred Golf Club. It's a 20-home lifestyle estate called Royal Alfred Acre and in lots of ways it's a first for the area as the homes boast a load of new-era features – SUCH AS SOLAR POWER, HOME AUTOMATION, CENTRAL VACUUM SYSTEMS, STATE-OF-THE-ART SECURITY -  as well as accommodation for golf carts.

Another exclusive development is Riverview Waterfront Estate that offers extensive views both up the Kowie River and right cross town and out to sea. Several magnificent homes are already under construction. Royal Alfred Estate is the third one attracting lots of interest. This estate also offers terrific sea and Marina views. But not all building developments are in the mega bucks class. Emerald Heights offers affordable clusters and townhouses where first-time buyers can secure a modern home also with great sea views and dotted around town there are several smaller estates under construction offering new homes at very reasonable prices.

Surgery & Hospital Staff Welcome

Since our new hospital opened there has been some amazing work done there. Port Alfred Hospital has the most modern, up-to-date equipment and facilities and this is attracting well-respected surgeons to come and do specialist procedures such a hip and knee replacements. Several specialists who have homes in the area are being tempted to recolate sooner rather than later.

Are you an Electrician?

It seems that finding an electrician with a slot to do your work is almost impossible in Port Alfred. All the good ones are so busy. Now there's an idea for a business venture. A competent, service-orientated electrician can only makes the sparks fly. New homes are going up all over town and all of these need the basics plus all the fancy lighting one sees so alluringly presented in decor magazines.

Painters and decorators

There are so many new home being built in Port Alfred that trying to contract a painter to work on one's exisiting home is almost impossible. No joking - it can take up to 6 months to even get a quote.

Every good painter in town has such a backlog of work. There's also the swish Royal Alfred Marina where the homes are all painted white or pastel shades and have to be repainted frequently to adhere to strict Marina standards. And almost all of the new housing developments will also require regular painting maintenance. So bring your brushes and ladders and expertise and set up a really professional, service-orientated, home-decorating service. You can't fail.

New homes need furnishing

Port Alfred furnishing outlets are doing roaring trade and there's room for even more. Several interior decorators have moved into town and are being kept busy so why not find out what the trends ahead are likely to be and source the goods. The newcomers to town want 1) top quality and 2) the latest in design and innovation and 3) goods to be available locally. Port Alfred Business Forum is promoting a BUY LOCAL CAMPAIGN. So any wide-awake furniture fundi can only do well. New homes going up range from modest flats for first-time buyers to luxury pads for South African and international holidaymakers.

Last year an enterprising couple Calle and Marleine Badenhorst opened Soleil en Mer Interieurs - and in just one year have quadrupled the size of their business. That's what you can do by seeing the gap and going for it. Offering brilliant service also has a lot to do with their success.

Maybe you are an IT Whizz?

These days it's the "geriathletes" who have the buying power to indulge in the latest technology. And there are plenty of over-50s living in Port Alfred with the whim and the wherewithall to splurge out on the fanciest equipment that moden technology comes up. These early-retired residents still run mega business ventures from their Port Alfred bases and have a bounty of experience to help promote the area. Tap into their needs and offer all the technological services they require at the drop of a hat and the sky's the limit for the entrepreneur who knows the value of service and knows how to supply service - today and not some time next week or month.

Tourism is booming

Port Alfred has one of the most recognisable and imaginative tourism offices in the country as it is painted in colours and designs representative of our area. Our Tourism Director Bev Young is a lady larger than life with a tremendous flair and love for promoting all things to do with tourism in her area. Tourism is a fast-growing industry whether in the supply of bed nights, operating a game farm, offering sporting facilities, tour transport, boating hire, catering & restaurant service. ROUTE 72 and the Sunshine Coast is just being discovered and the possibilities for new businesses are huge. If you have imagination, flair and the inclination to work hard, step right up. We need you.

Urgently need more hotel rooms

International guests are used to 4 and 5-star accommodation and Port Alfred just doesn't have enough such rooms on offer. Boutique Hotels also draw the international set as long as they offer all mod cons, a charming ambience and excellent staff. Many travellers prefer the more personalised attention one would expect from a smaller, privately owned hotel. My Pond, a boutique hotel opened this year on the banks of the Kowie River and is boasting fantastic occupancy.There is no doubt that this area can boom if we get it right as far as attracting tourists - local as well as international - and treat them to the best.

Port Alfred is also the destination of choice for many conferences and if we had more hotels offering the facilities they need, a lot of larger ones would make their way here.

Our guest houses are great

It's also good to know that many accommodation establishments are seeing an increase in the number of bed nights they are selling. This has been the trend in recent months - and the usual after-the-season slack-off has not been so noticeable. Our largest hotel is booked solid with conferences and they also urgently need more beds to accommodate all the bookings they are being offered. There is also a steady stream of international guests. So if you're in the hospitality industry and fancy relocating to this most wonderful part of the South African coastline, you'll be more than welcome. There are interesting homes galore that could be turned into boutique hotels or go the whole hog and built a new hotel. And if you are browsing this web site and fancy popping in to see what we're all about and need accommodation, check out Our Members' B&Bs and Guest Houses. They'll all give you a great welcome.

Professional services

As Port Alfred grows, so does the need for services such as legal, medical, financial, architectural, technological, home maintenance. And again service is the keyword. In a small town news travels fast and there is no better advertising than word of mouth.

Similarly word of bad or inefficient service spreads even faster.