Strengthening the economy through tourism

BUILDING relationships with tourism structures in other countries such as Swaziland, Mozambique and the Seychelles will contribute to strengthening South Africa’s economy.

This was KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Mike Mabuyakhulu’s sentiments during the EAST ( (Exchange, Adventure, Scenery, Trade) Route meeting held at Nembula’s place in eSikhaleni on Thursday evening.

Representatives from all four countries addressed tourism cooperation issues and economic development the EAST programme can offer, with a special focus on the benefits for underprivileged communities.

‘The East Route programme is an initiative which has gone a long way to strengthen mutually beneficial relationships between the people of South Africa, particularly in trading and tourism. We aim for people on the ground to benefit more from it’ said Mabuyakhulu.

‘We have just returned from Mozambique where we strengthened our relationship by donating a mobile library with 3 800 books, a laboratory with 16 000 kits, as well as bicycles for poor pupils. We also donated five computers in Swaziland,’

The event was followed by the gala dinner held at Naval Island.