LIMPOPO; HA-RAMANTSHA: Kone Village Boutique Lodge in Makhado Municipality outside Louis Trichardt, was for the past three days a hive of activity with Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) hosting its stakeholders for a strategic session to plan for the next five years of the 7th administration. The agency invited various stakeholders key to tourism including the shareholder and MEC of Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Mr. Tshitereke Matibe, to a strategic session billed to take place on the 15-17 October 2024.
Other stakeholders included Department of Tourism (DT), South African Tourism (SAT), Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), Limpopo Sports Confederation, Limpopo Provincial Tourism Association (LPTA), Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), South African Local Government Association (SALGA), municipalities, Limpopo Provincial Treasury, University of Limpopo and University of Venda.
The strategic retreat was necessitated by alignment to the new administration which has developed three key priorities as outlined below:-
• To drive inclusive growth and job creation.
• To reduce poverty and tackle the high cost of living.
• To build a capable, ethical and developmental state.
The agency’s mandate and scope has been extended over and above marketing tourism in the province to also carry out the role of trade and investment promotion, suggesting that LTA will incorporate this role into its core mandate.
As he opened the session, MEC of LEDET, Mr. Tshitereke Matibe, emphasized the three government priorities as outlined above and encouraged LTA to align its functions to them. “The Premier and I are always with you to make sure that the people in Limpopo understand the importance of tourism as an important sector to grow the economy and create jobs in the province. Last week we met with the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Patricia de Lille, where she took us through the Astro Tourism Strategy that was launched recently. In the same breath, we had an engagement with the MEC of Education in the province, Ms. Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya, where there was a discussion about the establishment of the Science Park in the province”, said Matibe.
Matibe further said, “We must increase tourism numbers as the province has so much to offer. We have introduced Tourism Thursday campaign so that people can realize the importance of doing tourism every week anywhere in the province. Thulamela Municipality has Tourism Thursday this week and we should support the municipality on this initiative. The province is on the right path to reimagine the products the province has on offer. We should prioritize tourism as it is an important pillar of our economy in the province. The Premier has provided the direction Tourism Sector must adopt. We have set the bar very high for tourism and we do not expect you to take it down. We must conceptualize the campaign that the Premier proposed, Limpopo Ka December”. The MEC directed that it be launched in Sekhukhune as the district that has not been visited so far.
In conclusion, Matibe announced that the Department of Public Works, which is conducting “Dikgerekgere Wednesdays”, will also embark on repairing roads to tourism attractions in the province.
Other people who spoke at the session included Head of Department of LEDET, Mr. Matodzi Rathumbu, who spoke on the ‘Impact of tourism economy in the province’. He indicated that LTA is still responsible for its core mandate but has an increased scope in the form of ‘Trade and Investment Promotion’. Limpopo Provincial Tourism Association (LPTA) was represented by Ms. Makeda Khoza who applauded LTA for its continued support to the tourism industry in the province.
The entity identified the following commissions for stakeholders to help shape it into the next five years of the 7th administration:
• Communications, Branding, Public Relations and Research,
• Trade and Investment Promotions,
• Destination Marketing, and
• Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibition (MICE).
The Board Chairperson of LTA, Mr. Andrew Dipela appreciated all stakeholders including the MEC for gracing the strategic session but most importantly to help assess the plans that the entity they had for the past five years. Dipela said, “We wish to appreciate the new challenges that come with the new administration. I am grateful that the MEC reiterated the continuation of Tourism Thursdays. We should go further to also recruit schools to get involved in the campaign as this will enhance visitor experience”.
Dipela also thanked the LTA staff for working hard to attain a clean audit opinion from the Auditor General of South Africa. He encouraged them to keep the momentum and not drop the ball. He indicated that LTA should make an impact in changing lives of the people of the province with the work it does of drawing droves of people to the province.
Issued on Behalf of LTA by:
Surprise Moshokwa
Media Liaison Officer
Tel: 015 293 3600
Cell: 077 603 1268
Email: surprisem@golimpopo.com