During the Tourism Month, the Mpumalanga government will undertake a set of activities to foster tourism awareness in local communities of our Province, especially, within the townships and the less visited areas of the province.
This was according to the province’s MEC of Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Makhosazane Masilela who was speaking during the Tourism Month Media Launch 2024 which took place at the magnificent tourism product, Incwala Lodge, which is located in the middle of the breath-taking and beautiful region of the Nkangala District Municipality on Tuesday.
The Incwala Lodge is a family run and owned establishment, with a distinct kind of hospitality that is uniquely Mpumalanga. Nestled in the mountains of Emgwenya is a sanctuary of bird life; trout fish, ancient ruins and it provide guests with a sense of being home away from home.
“it is an honour and privilege, to address you today at this magnificent tourism product, Incwala Lodge, which is located in the middle of the breath-taking and beautiful region.” said the MEC.
According to the MEC, The aim is to create awareness about domestic travel among communities, with a special focus on travel to rural areas, villages and small towns.
“As part of the awareness, the province will also, amongst other activities of the Month, host the third edition of the Mpumalanga Tourism Careers Expo in Middleburg, in the Emakhazeni Local Municipality, tomorrow, 04 September 2024. 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.”
The province will also celebrate its own Provincial Tourism Awareness Day, on the 14th of September in Masibekele, in the Nkomazi Hani Local Municipality and continue to host the Annual Mpumalanga Tourism Expo from the 4th until 06 October in Mbombela.
The MEC said that the aim of the Expo was to showcase and promote products of tourism SMMEs, hence on the 28 of September, the province will again host the Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon.
“This is a race qualifier towards the Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathon. I would also like to urge the media to partner with us as our ambassadors on our journey to promote Mpumalanga as the tourism destination of choice. In your reporting, I implore you to paint a positive picture about the beauty of the Province. The influence of your voice and reach cannot be overemphasised.”
During her speech, MEC Masilela expressed her condolences to the family of the tourist who recently died at MTPA’s Bourke’s Luck Potholes a week ago who accidentally took a fall during his tour.
“The Department and its Public Entity, the MTPA is devastated by the passing on of our tourist who hails from Burgersfort, in the Limpopo Province. We are shattered because the manner in which the tourist lost his life could have been avoided, if all safety measures were observed to the latter.”
“ As government, we would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the deceased. We are keeping them in our prayers, and we hope will they find solace and strength in God during these trying times”, said MEC Masilela.
