The MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism, Mr PV Mkhatshwa tonight launched the tourism month programme at Ndalo Lodge Mbombela. A series of events and activities aimed at promoting Mpumalanga as a destination of choice was unveiled to the media and tourism stakeholders.
The theme for this year is “Tourism for inclusive growth” which is aimed at celebrating tourism's ability to drive inclusive development and the role it plays in promoting respect while generating opportunities for many millions across the globe. The primary motive behind the celebration of Tourism Month is to nurture the awareness on the importance of tourism and demonstrate its cultural, social, economic and political values across the world.
“The theme further recognises that the recovery of the tourism sector can only be realised if the benefits of the sector includes the previously disadvantaged communities, our townships and rural communities. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on the tourism sector and it remains our responsibility to work together with the tourism stakeholders to revive the sector”, said Mr PV Mkhatshwa, MEC for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism.
“During the month of September we showcase the various tourism offerings in the province and encourage our local communities to travel and explore what is on offer. We create awareness on the importance of domestic tourism to the economy. The tourism sector plays an integral part in our society as it has the potential contribution to social development and economic growth”, added Mkhatshwa.
Domestic tourism is key in ensuring that our local people discover the diverse offerings available locally and benefit from them. It is therefore important to ensure that tourism products developed are sustainable and accessible to all.
Tourism is estimated to be the 6th biggest sector in the economy. The province recorded a steady increase of foreign visitor arrivals from 1, 6 million in 2018 to 1, 7 million in 2019. With regards to domestic tourism, we, however recorded a decrease in domestic trips from 2, 9 million in 2018 to 2, 5 million in 2019.
Domestic tourism is key in ensuring that our local people discover the diverse offerings available in the province and the country, to exploit and benefit from them. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic created severe challenges for the tourism sector.
“The focus in September will therefore be to continue with our awareness campaigns to educate our local communities on the importance of realising that tourism is everyone’s business and requires that we all work together in providing a safe environment”, said Mr Johannes Nobunga, CEO of the MTPA.
“It is therefore important to ensure that as the sector continues to open for business and leisure travel, we continue with our marketing efforts to encourage locals to travel and further encourage product owners to offer affordable packages and new tourism products within a safe environment. As the sector we also need to adapt to the new ways of doing business”, added Nobunga.
We have a series of exciting events lined up for the month of September to attract more visitors into the province. The series of events scheduled include amongst others the following:
- The launch of the Manyeleti Restaurant – 4 September
- Skywalk Sod turning ceremony at God’s Window – 10 September
- Tourism Expo – 11 September
- Mpumalanga Parks Week from 13 – 17 September
- Shabalala Township Tourism Product Alert 16 – 17 September
- Gert Sibande Liberation Heritage Celebratory Charity Golf Day 18 September
- Tourism Recovery Dialogue – 22 September
- Mpumalanga Through Film 23 – 27 September
- Mbombela Jazz Picnic 25 September
- Tourism Awareness Day 26 September
This year’s World Tourism Day will be celebrated in the Free State Province on the 27th September.
We encourage you to discover Mpumalanga this September and support local tourism. Check out our packages on the website or follow us on our social media platforms for more. Take a shot left and discover Mpumalanga. As you travel around the province, upload your experiences and hashtag #discovermpumalanga #explorempumalanga to share your travel stories with us.
