The Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) successfully launched its summer campaign as an initiative to promote and drive domestic tourism during this festive season. The campaign was launched on the 10th November 2022 at Meloding Guest House, Bela-Bela.
The Agency collaborated with Limpopo Economic Development and Tourism (LEDET), National Department of Tourism (NDT), South African Tourism (SAT), Limpopo Provincial Tourism Association (LPTA) to drive tourism numbers to the province.
LIMPOPO TOURISM AGENCY SUMMER CAMPAIGN
The campaign was officially launched by the MEC of Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), Mr. Rodgers Monama. He was supported by the Executive Mayor of Waterberg District Municipality, Cllr, Morris Mataboge, Mayor of Bela-Bela Local Municipality, Cllr. Gloria Seleka. LTA Board Chairperson, Mr. Andrew Dipela and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Limpopo Legislature on Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr. Donald Selamolela.
Present also was the Chairperson of LPTA, Mr. Gerhard Franken, Acting Head of Department of LEDET, Mr. Matodzi Rathumbu, and LTA Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sello Maleka.
“Limpopo province is so rich as it is endowed with minerals, which other people mine but do not benefit. The province also has agriculture and tourism, which is big in the Waterberg District,” said MEC for LEDET, Mr. Rodgers Monama.
COVID-19 IMPACT
“Last year this event coincided with COVID-19 pandemic, Which hit the tourism industry and other related sub-sectors in the tourism value chain. To this end, much effort was and still is required to recover the limping tourism industry.
“The central objective is to increase domestic tourism trips to the province by creating awareness about destination Limpopo. This is further to encourage local citizens to travel and explore various tourism experiences in the province. To ensure that Limpopo is top of mind to all South Africans. As people come to the province in their numbers, that will create employment, to fight poverty and inequality,” he further said.
“The main objective of the campaign will be to position destination Limpopo as a year-round leisure, business, and special interest destination. This has recently been proven when Peter Mokaba Stadium was used as a home ground for Mamelodi Sundowns FC. This was during the 2022 MTN Cup Semi-final game against Orlando Pirates FC whereby the stadium was packed to capacity. That also contributed to tourism and will go down as an historic event in the province. It also boosted our economy benefiting several sectors including informal traders in the province,” Monama said as he concluded.
MEDIA TOUR
The media personalities in attendance were taken to Lerato’s Grill House for a taste of the township tourism experience. The following day they were taken on a tour of two internationally acclaimed attractions.
The first was Nylsvley Nature Reserve. It is a RAMSAR Site with over 390 bird species that annually flock to this wetland. A haven for birds from many parts of the world including Asia and Europe. The second was Makapan’s Valley World Heritage Site, outside Mokopane. This is where the Voortrekkers under Piet Potgieter and the Ndebeles under King Mghombane Gheghana waged war in the 1800’s.
