Mpumalanga unveils tourism plans: Jobs, township tourism, events a big priority

Tourism awareness programmes in local communities and less visited areas, are just some of the plans the MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, ms. Makhosazane Msilela revealed at a media launch of Tourism Month this week.

BY GAVIN PRINS

As guests of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), we were invited to the Incwala Lodge in Emgwenya as part of the launch of the province’s exciting plans to not only implement plans to attract domestic and international travellers to the province but also create jobs in this sector.

Msilela said the province will institute a set of activities to foster tourism awareness in local communities, especially, within townships and the less visited areas of Mpumalanga. “Tourism Month (September) is an opportune time to celebrate the rich tapestry of SA’s beauty and cultural diversity. It allows to showcase the countless wonders that make South Africa a true gem of the African continent.”

Msilela says she has already committed to create around 100 000 new and sustainable jobs every year, “if we are to achieve the Mpumalanga Vision 2030 employment target of 2.1 million by 2030. If developed properly, tourism is one sector that will propel government to realise its commitment.

“Tourism is our gold mine in Mpumalanga; hence, it must be continuously nurtured in order for government to reach its target as it relates to job creation. In this regard, the Department, will continue to support the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency in its quest of making Mpumalanga a tourism destination of choice. 

The Department, she said, will continue to pursue the plans of developing high impact projects aimed at stimulating inclusive growth and job creation in the tourism sector. This includes catalytic projects such as the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site, and the Blyde Canyon Cable Car.

“To this end, I have already instructed the MTPA to fast track its programme of revitalising their nature reserves, with a view of attracting both foreign and domestic tourists into these nature reserves. Today’s launch marks the kick-off of a series of Provincial tourism events, that will happen during the month of September, and culminating into the National Tourism Day on the 27th of September which will be celebrated in Kimberly, in the Northern Cape Province.

“And in our quest to promote domestic tourism, we will once again grant our people free entry to our selected nature reserves, during what we termed Mpumalanga Parks Week, starting from 09 until 13 September. 

“We will also celebrate our own Provincial Tourism Awareness Day, on the 14th of September in Masibekele, in the Nkomazi Hani Local Municipality. 16. Furthermore, we will continue to host the Annual Mpumalanga Tourism Expo from the 4th until 06 October in Mbombela. The Expo aims to showcase and promote products of tourism SMMEs. On 28 September, we will again host the Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon. This is a race qualifier towards the Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathon.” Msilela says Mpumalanga tourism is open for business. It is, thus, my profound pleasure, to launch the 2024 Tourism Month, under the theme: “Tourism and Peace – 30 years of connecting people, places and culture”