BusinessInternational
Chamber to take tourism challenges head-on
The chamber is says it is concerned about the state of Pilgrim's Rest.
MBOMBELA – Hope for renewed interest in the revitalisation of Pilgrim’s Rest was one of the top topics under discussion during the inauguration of the new president of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT), Mr Oupa Pilane, last Tuesday.
Ms Linda Grimbeek, chief operating officer of the chamber, said that one of its main mandates was to promote the region as a tourism and investment destination, and to represent and speak on behalf of the business and tourism community.
She noted that the chamber increasingly needed to play an advocacy role. For this reason it joined forces with other chambers in the region to form the Kruger Lowveld Ehlanzeni Business Alliance.
She noted that repair work and improvements have commenced on some public attractions, but added that a lot more needed to be done.
“We are excited about the possible privatisation of reserves within our region and we sincerely hope to see more improvements at the attractions in the near future,” she said. In particular, the KLCBT is concerned about Pilgrim’s Rest.
Last year saw the formation of the Pilgrim’s Rest Integrated Development Engagement (PRIDE) where 28 stakeholders started dialogue on a solution for Pilgrim’s Rest. Some progress has been made and the task team has been ready to present the solutions to the relevant head of departments’ since December 2015.
“We are relieved to see renewed interest in this regard and look forward to the rebirth of this important tourism product.”
KLCBT’s buy-local advocacy is the most recent addition to its key areas of focus.
“We will design and implement various programmes and initiatives to promote local procurement by government and the private sector and will provide assistance to small businesses to become compliant as service providers,” Grimbeek said.
She commended the noticeable improvements made by the implementation of City of Mbombela Local Municipality’s turnaround strategy, and hoped surrounding municipalities would follow suit.
“I am excited about the formation of the Mbombela Economic Development Partnership where the city and the private-sector stakeholders will identify and implement projects to develop the local economy. Meanwhile, the KLCBT is engaging at all possible forums to give input in future plans, including the integrated development programmes.”
Grimbeek concluded that the KLCBT’s Hand on My Heart campaign was aimed at tackling corruption in both the public and private sector.
“The promotion of ethics is crucial. You simply cannot run a successful business without good ethical practices.”
