Mpumalanga ready to welcome tourists this holiday
Various Mpumalanga entities have banded together in an effort to ensure the safety of tourists this festive season.
The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) acting CEO, Mduduzi Vilakazi, has assured tourists’ safety during the festive season.
Vilakazi said the MTPA has collaborated with the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison and SAPS to create awareness about the importance of ensuring tourist safety. He also thanked Sanral for significantly reducing the number of potholes in the Graskop region, during the Vala Zonke Campaign.
“As one of Mpumalanga’s biggest economic drivers, the tourism sector is deeply intertwined with the state of roads and how we support visitors and residents of this province, as such. The MTPA has deployed tourism safety monitors to strategic and high-volume locations around the province,” said Vilakazi.
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These monitors have been sharing vital safety tips and travel guide material with travellers since early December and will continue acting as additional protection for tourists during the festive season.
Tourism routes and destinations expected to attract a high volume of visitors this festive season include the ever-popular Panorama Route, featuring iconic waterfalls after the good rain in the area.
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Sibusiso Ngwenya, a tour operator regularly transporting tourists in the area, said he was happy with the progress so far. “We no longer have the fear of potholes damaging our vehicles and visitors can enjoy much more pleasant trips,” he said.
The Hazyview area and the Kruger National Park are other firm favourites where visitors can spot the Big 5 in their natural habitat or opt to engage in the many activities Hazyview offers to both leisure and adventure travellers.
