Mpumalanga’s Tourism Month officially launched in Dullstroom | Lowvelder

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Hazyview’s tourism sector is ready to welcome tourists to the area after Tourism Month was officially launched by the MEC for economic development and tourism, Makhosazane Masilela, in conjunction with the Mpumalanga Tourism Parks Agency (MTPA), in Dullstroom on September 3.

The theme of this year’s Tourism Month is ‘Tourism and Peace: 30 Years of Connecting People, Places and Cultures’. Masilela emphasised the importance of this year’s theme, highlighting how Mpumalanga’s rich cultural and natural heritage continues to connect people, places and diverse cultures. She outlined key strategies for the future, including strengthening tourism infrastructure, promoting sustainable tourism practices and positioning Mpumalanga as a top travel destination both locally and globally.

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“Tourism Month 2024 promises to be a dynamic celebration filled with events and initiatives highlighting Mpumalanga’s diverse offerings – from cultural and nature-based tourism to thrilling adventures. With strategic partnerships, media engagement and an unwavering commitment to sustainable tourism, Mpumalanga is set to reaffirm its status as a leading destination while driving economic growth and enriching the experiences of all who visit,” she said.

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Masilela added that domestic tourism is a key driver in the provincial economy, especially the township tours, and encouraged locals to embrace it because it’s not expensive, it’s easy to access and will sustain jobs for those who are working in these areas. “We encourage locals to visit the areas and share them on social media so that people from other provinces can also gain an interest in visiting. Tour operators also need to do their part in ensuring that tourists are well taken care of and make sure that the areas are neat so that people will keep coming back,” she said.

The chairperson of the Hazyview Chamber of Business and Tourism, Goodman Nkosi, said they are ready to welcome visitors and their township tourism routes have something for everyone.

“Most of our kasi tours are visited by people outside the country and a few locals. We hope that locals will take advantage of Tourism Month and take a sho’t left to the townships and learn our way of doing things and how people in the past used to survive. We are working closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure their safety while exploring our villages at reasonable prices,” he said.

Nkosi added that supporting local tourism is important because it creates sustainable jobs for locals. He also requested locals to guard tourists in their township because they spend money there and grow the local economy.

The MTPA’s acting CEO, Justus Mohlala, also announced the nature reserves that will take part in the exciting Annual Mpumalanga Parks Week initiative that takes place from September 9 to 13, and only South Africans will access these for free. These parks include Andover Nature Reserve, Barberton Nature Reserve, Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, Kromdraai Camp, and Loskop, Mahushe Shongwe, Manyeleti, Mkhombo, Nooitgedacht Dam, Ohrigstad Dam, Songimvelo and SS Skosana nature reserves.



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