TRAVEL
MPUMALANGA IS OPEN FOR TRAVEL
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| www.google.com/images |
By: Debbie Bloodmoon
A gem on its own, Mpumalanga is by far one of the most
beautiful provinces South Africa has to offer. I believe God was angry and
happy when he created this magnificent picturesque haven. From mountains to the
lake, rivers, and dams, to the animals that find themselves living in the luxury
of freedom, to its people. Mpumalanga manifests its beauty by just being.
Hosting their annual festive launch campaign since the
pandemic, at The Reserve Boutique Hotel; which is a piece of paradise on its
own, surrounded by the comfort and ambiance of nature, the campaign was a drive
to get people comfortable enough to basket in the glory of travel and exploring
the country but most importantly to see the adventures in the province of
Mpumalanga.
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| CEO of MTPA, Mr. Johannes Nobunga |
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| MEC for Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism; Mr. Vusi Mkhatshwa |
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| MEC, Mr. Vusi Mkhatshwa |
The event which happened on the 15 October 2021, addressed
by the MEC of Finance, Economic Development, and Tourism, Mr. Vusi Mkhatshwa,
also hosted a list of other dignitaries’ speakers like; the Executive Mayor of
the City of Mbombela, Councillor Sibusiso Mathonsi; Executive Mayor of
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality, Councillor Sylvia Nxumalo, and the
Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Travel and Parks Agency (MTPA) Board, Mr Victor
Mashego.
With the tourism industry being one of the key sectors
contributing to the country’s GDP and 4.5 percent of the total employment in
the country, it was rather a horrible reality to see the industry being one of
the worst affected by the invisible enemy. Many of the tourist attractions were closed
last year around the festive season due to the outbreak of the recent pandemic;
it was not easy for people to travel and enjoy the landscapes of South Africa.
The MEC explains that ‘’a number of tourism businesses closed their doors
permanently’’ and unfortunately that came with a number of people losing their
jobs and their livelihoods being utterly disrupted. According to the statistics the significant
number of people that traveled the province reduce heavily, having less than 5
million people visiting South Africa, and a tiny fraction of them walking the
grounds of Mpumalanga, as compared to 2019, where it saw 1.6million tourists.
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| The Reserve Boutique Hotel |
With things easing down and places and spaces being open for
business again, Mpumalanga saw an influx of people during the Tourism month;
with the Heritage Day long weekend being one of the busiest thus far since the
pandemic, having all accommodations around the province fully booked. This was a
clear indication that we are back in business. The launch of this festive
season campaign aims to ‘’disseminate the message that MPUMALANGA IS OPEN FOR
TRAVEL’’, MEC Mkhatshwa, he further explains that they want to ‘’encourage and
entice people in and around the province and the world to come and experience the greatness the province has to offer.’’ There are a
number of activations planned by the department like the Township and Rural
Hangouts; where Mpumalanga will be invading other provinces, this aims to help
boost local travel in townships and rural areas to help improve the economy.
There will be a Social Media Influencers Activation, Digital Marketing
Activations, Family Picnics and Musical Events and Outdoor Adventure that will
collaborate with hiking clubs and other sporting entities to showcase the
adventures of Mpumalanga.
It will take time for the tourism industry to fully recuperate from the devastation of COVID-19. A lot of restructuring is being done, with new tourists attractions being built, old ones being reconstructed, and the much-anticipated Skywalk at the Wonder View, which is situated at the Blade River Canyon Nature Reserve set to open in the year 2023. Mpumalanga tourism is set to be on its feet again, to rise like the sun and people it represents. Take a shot left to the land the sun rises from and don’t forget to vaccinate, so we continue the enjoyment of the festive season.
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