WRDM signs memorandum of understanding to revive tourism

The West Rand District Municipality (WRDM) has established a Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) support function, which is aimed at supporting tourism development initiatives on the West Rand.

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This was on January 16 at the District Municipality’s tourism office and was done through its Regional Planning and Reindustrialisation Department.

During this time, a memorandum of understanding was signed with representatives from Morame.

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Morame is an acronym for Mogale, Randfontein and Merafong. They are incorporated as a non-profit company to serve as an RTO, representing the West Rand.

Their membership base is made up of individual businesses, local tourism associations, aligned stakeholders and other organised formation.

According to WRDM Regional Planning and Reindustrialisation Executive Manager Zeblon Mphaphuli, the signing of the memorandum is also aimed at addressing the need for ensuring optimal alignment of stakeholders within the province, where tourism is concerned.

“This partnership and support function primarily entails tourism stakeholder alignment, as well as the delivery and support of tourism development on the West Rand. It also entails the coordination of local tourism initiatives in the constituent municipalities of the West Rand District and will further entail coordination of activities through an institutional model that will address all spheres of public sector activity and the ongoing private sector stakeholder engagement.

“The partnership also seeks to revive the tourism sector that has been negatively affected by the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Mphaphuli.

He added that WRDM has also agreed to provide Morame RTO with office space in the tourism office as of February 1.