Tourism leads to Ekurhuleni’s townships

Township tourism has great potential to provide the amazing tourist experience that foreign visitors want to brag about when they return to their homes.

Speaking at the two-day Tourism Conference that took place at The Lakes Hotel, in Benoni, the director of Soweto Outdoor Adventures, Kgomotso Pooe, encouraged township entrepreneurs to take advantage of opportunities that exist in their backyard.

“We, as township people, need to manufacture local products that represent us; we need to show the flair and fire that is always associated with the township,” he said.

“Why can’t we start a tourism business in a shack, because that represents us?

“If you are aware of your surroundings you can unlock your tourism sector in the township.”

Pooe gave examples such as using a horse-driven cart to provide a tour of the township, and providing a pedal-powered boat, among other things.

Amongst the biggest challenges outlined by the guest speakers is that entrepreneurs don’t know the value of township businesses.

In comparison to mainstream tourism, township tourism is still marginal and needs to be taken advantage of, as it provides economic opportunities and advancement for local entrepreneurs.

Local entrepreneurs were also encouraged to share their ideas, talk amongst themselves and work together to form a conglomerate, to attract investors without the fear of someone else stealing their ideas.

Another important feature discussed was the use of e-Tourism to attract the market and ensure that the tourism sector is accessible through use of the latest technology.

This involves the use of social media and existing technologies, such as video and audio, to allow tourists to experience the destinations without physically being there, and to explore those places before embarking on their tourism journey.

The metro’s tourism officials will develop an action plan reflecting the deliberations highlighted at the two-day conference.

Key points will be taken to complement the existing Tourism Strategy 2016-2021, which also emphasises the development of the tourism infrastructure.