Limpopo invites India to explore beyond Kruger

A high level delegation consisting of government and business leaders from the South African province of Limpopo was in New Delhi and Mumbai recently to promote the region as a tourism and investment destination. Limpopo, home to the world renowned Kruger Park, is looking to also promote regions beyond the Park in the India market.

Maylene Broderick, head of department, Department of Economic Development, Environment & Tourism, Limpopo Provincial Government, said, "Apart from the Kruger National Park, Limpopo is also home to around 47 nature reserves with three star to five star resorts which are suitable for all pockets.

We offer adventure sports such as quad bikes, absailing, river rafting and wildlife safaris. We will also like to develop and promote niche areas such as mining tourism, agro tourism and eco tourism and tailor make packages for the India market." The region is also home to Mapungubwe UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Waterberg Biosphere which is home to many protected species of fauna and flora.

Last year, around 75,000 Indian tourists visited South Africa, however, for the Limpopo region, India is still an untapped market. "Our aim is to take the information and feedback we have got from the India market in order to give us an idea of what the market requires. We will meet up with the Indian travel trade at the upcoming INDABA to take these discussions further.

We will develop strategies and conduct promotions and will also invite the Indian travel trade to come and experience our tourism products," Broderick said. The premier of the Limpopo region, who headed the delegation to India, has signed agreements with India to increase trade from 7 billion Rand to 10 billion Rand, a part of it will be allotted for tourism. The region has also invited Indian investors to invest in resorts in the province.