Simon Nare
North West Department of Tourism MEC Bitsa Lenkopane will dedicate the September Tourism month to unlocking the provincial tourism potential across the four districts in a move that will see mostly young people, rural and township residents reaping the rewards.
Lenkopane made the promise to Inside Travel ahead of the provincial tourism imbizo held at the Hartebeespoort Dam on Tuesday night.
The MEC admitted that the province has been lagging behind other provinces as far as tourism is concerned and it was about time it upped its game.
She said to celebrate tourism, a host of activities had been lined-up in the province but the emphasis will be on how residents in the province will benefit.
During the launch the MEC called for responsible tourism in the province and the protection of wildlife and natural resources.
Lenkoppane said the province boasts some of the world-renowned tourist attractions such as Taung Skull, Sun City, Haartebeespoort Dam, Pilanesberg Game Reserve, Madikwe Game Reserve and many more which the visitors can explore.
“Every village, town and city in the North West has a story to tell – a story of resilience , triumph and dreams realized. There is no greater power on earth than storytelling. By sharing these stories, the province can bridge gaps, foster understanding and inspire visitors around the world.
“We are not inward thinking, we are outward thinking and thinking outward means thinking about the world,” she said.
The MEC said despite September not being hunting month, special permits would be issued to local and international hunters who would be coming to the province for trophy hunting.
She said trophy hunting will specifically be done at Molopo Game Reserve where free entry week for local visitors will not apply as the park would be used for trophy hunting.
“So, we will be concentrating on a couple of activities the whole of this month. There is a lot that is going to be happening. We are going to be teaching our youth about animals. Our park rangers have prepared a lot of learning materials for the youth that they are going to be distributing.
“Different cultures are found in our province and during the mahala week people can come and put up their tents to sell their artwork. This is the platform that they can come and showcase their artwork during the mahala week. That is how we will be exposing them to the market,” she said.
Lenkopane said as the province with the highest unemployment rate, these events helped residents, especially the youth to make money either through selling food in mobile kitchens or selling their artworks.
As part of boosting tourism in the province, the MEC said she will be jetting off to China and South Korea at the end of the month on an investment drive to woo investors.
“We will be going there with the premier to discuss how best we can get investors to come and invest in our province. We are going to engage business there to come and look into other ways of creating opportunities for our people in the form of investment,” she said.
Also, in celebration of tourism month, the department will be hosting women in tourism with the view of empowering them.
“Remember in our space, we are not only talking tourism in the form of hospitality or guest houses. But we are talking broadly even in terms of transformation and people will want to explore the industry,” she said.
The MEC said plans were afoot for the province to have its own version of Durban July which would be designed to draw tourists. She said this was a new concept that will be introduced and partnering with the private sector.
INSIDE POLITICS