Tourism Linking Cultures

Zebula Golf Estate & Spa ; Limpopo-The World Tourism Day is celebrated globally on the 27th September annually with the aim of fostering awareness amongst the international community on the importance of tourism, that is, its social, cultural, political and economic values on the society. Limpopo Tourism and Parks will have its Tourism Month Media Launch on the 3rd September at Zebula Golf Estate and Spa over a Gala dinner. The media launch will be presided over by Limpopo Tourism and Parks Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rob Tooley.

In South Africa this is a month long celebration aimed at promoting domestic tourism. Provincial Tourism Authorities and/or Agencies throughout South Africa create events and programs aimed at creating awareness and hype about domestic tourism during the September Tourism Month.

The Media Launch will be preceded by the Regional Eliminations of the Amateur 17th World Golf Championship at the same venue whereby the winners will proceed to the finals, which will be played over 36 holes at Zimbali Country Club on the KwaZulu Natal north coast. Limpopo Tourism and Parks is the proud sponsor of the Regional Eliminations Series in Limpopo Region which covers and attract golfers from Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Pretoria.

The World Tourism Day (WTD) 2011 is being held under the theme “Tourism-Linking Cultures”. This year’s theme is a celebration of tourism’s role in linking together the cultures of the world through travel. With millions of people traveling the world each year, never before have so many people been to so many places, nor been so exposed to other cultures. These interactions between communities, and their diverse cultures, lead to tolerance, respect and mutual understanding – the building block for a more peaceful world. (The paragraph is a direct quote from World Tourism Organization).

Some of the planned events to look out for:

• Spring Day Celebrations – LTP together with identified partners will organize at key and busy traffic lights robot-bliss throughout the Polokwane and Regions distributing red roses to motorists with the tourism month theme. By so doing we will be promoting domestic tourism, popularizing the theme amongst citizens thus celebrating spring day.
• Vhembe Cultural Tour – This is an annual tour conducted by the Vhembe District Municipality aimed at exposing the Region’s offerings to the various stakeholders both locally and nationally. It covers well known attractions such as Mapungubwe, Kruger National Park, Dzata Ruins, Thathe Vondo Forests, Lake Fundudzi, Noria Mabasa Art Museum, etc. The tour will culminate in the Cultural Festival at the Makhado Show Grounds on the last day.
• Service Excellence Workshop – on the 31 August our mother body LEDET will conduct a service excellence workshop for border control staff at Beitbridge border post. The workshop will address general guidelines of customer services.
• Tourism and Arbor Day – MEC for LEDET will address the local community of Musina and plant approximately 30 trees.
• Provincial Arbor Week – On the 6th September LEDET and Limpopo Dept. Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will launch the Provincial Arbor week at Marapong in Lephalale.
• Tourism Safety Awareness Workshop – on the 16th September LEDET will conduct a Tourism Safety Awareness workshop at Musina, De Beers Diamond Offices. This will be a response call by the Department on requests made during the previous public participation progamme in the area whereby safety was raised as a concern. The workshop is targeted at the Community Safety Forum, Community Police Forum, Local Tourism Assassinations and Business Associations (Formal and informal business e.g. taxis, hawkers etc.)
• World Tourism Day Celebration – The National World Tourism Day celebrations will be in Free State at the Town of Clarence. The Provincial ETEYA winner will also be announced at this event.