Polokwane Tourism Association reflects on successful year

Polokwane Tourism Association (PTA) hosted its annual general meeting at a venue in the city last Thursday, with Gerhard Franken being re-elected as Chairperson and Grace Sibara and Gift Tsotetsi as Deputy Chairperson and Treasurer, respectively. Other members of the new Executive Committee (Exco) are Molatelo Mashabane, Jonas Ngake, Prenisha Rajdev, Lufuno Nengovhela, Kelly Bauristhene, Bestina Rakgoale and Raesetja Maja.
Franken reflected on the association’s achievements and highlights over the last three years and said that PTA is not just an association, but a movement – A movement towards a better Polokwane, with working tirelessly in promoting the city as its main aim.
“Three years ago we set out some goals as within any organisation. Although we have had several highlights, we have also had some failures. Through these failures we are still growing, and growing strong we are. We have not abandoned these goals – they have just shifted a bit,” Franken said in reference to the website, the coffee shop and the graffiti wall concept as some of the ideas that will still be explored.
“We have, however, had tremendous success in the field of implementing new programmes. Polokwane Tourism Association has been instrumental in the formation of the Limpopo Provincial Tourism Association, we have launched the Polo­kwane Explorer Race and the Polokwane City of Stars Awards, not to mention the highly successful Limpopo Tourism Holiday Fair. These are not just some small things that happened but required a lot of manpower and time to implement and ensure their success,” Franken said.
According to Franken, the Exco has attended several trade shows and participated in the Polokwane Show, Thulamela Show, Mahala Week and Tourism Month celebrations.
Welcoming the incoming Exco members, Franken said that it is of cardinal importance to take note that being an Exco member is not about status, but about work, commitment and a passion to make a difference. “Tourism is seen as a person sitting making flight reservations. Tourism is seen as a guide telling people about an area. I say that tourism is so much more. It is a concept of interconnecting not just tourists to places and travellers to experiences, but connecting our communities with one another,” Franken explained.
“We need to stand together and create a platform of uniformity to promote active economic growth through tourism and this can be achieved through communication. Events are key for our city as well as feedback. Working systems like proper travel, food and accommodation is key and as an industry we need to understand but never compromise on quality,” Franken concluded after he thanked Polokwane Municipality, Limpopo Tourism Association, Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) and the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa for their support.

Story & photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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