Roadshows for Limpopo 'Tourism Growth Plan'

LIMPOPO Tourism and Parks has embarked on a ‘Tourism Growth Plan’ to commercialise 15 of its 53 nature reserves. The programme is designed to attract local and international tourists, and to create job and business opportunities in the province. The ultimate goal is to double tourism’s contribution, which now consists of 3,5% of the provincial GDP, within the next five years, said Limpopo Tourism and Parks. "The mandate we got from the Premier, Sello Moloto, and the majority of the people in the province, is that they need jobs and opportunities within all sectors of government. Tourism being one of the major contributors to the success of the province we saw it fit to roll out the commercialisation programme to put tourism into a new trajectory of growth. Key to the campaign is to solicit input from all our stakeholders to feed into the feasibility study that will lead to the commercialisation programme" said Fixon Hlungwani, gm of Parks. The board wants to consult extensively with all the stakeholders and is therefore holding meetings with public sector agencies, staff, and local communities. The roadshows will take place at the following dates and venues: November 09: Nwanedi Reserve November 10: Magoebaskloof Hotel November 11: Sanbonani Hotel in Hazy View November 16: Klein Kariba in the Bela Bela region November 17: D'Nyala Nature Reserve November 18: Atherstone Nature Reserve. To take part in the roadshows e-mail: mmc@mmcon.co.za or evaratau@yahoo.com. (Dorine Berger)