Mpuma wants more local tourists

By Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

Nelspruit - Mpumalanga tourism authorities are striving for a 30,2% market share in the domestic tourism market and and 8,90% share in the international tourism market by 2016.

Mpumalanga is currently ranked fourth of all nine provinces as a preferred tourist destination amongst foreign tourists, receiving 12,8% of the total international tourist arrivals in South Africa.

In terms of domestic tourism, the province is positioned a dismal eighth, capturing only 3.8% of local travellers.

"We want to see the province gain a significant market share in the tourism industry with the ultimate goal of making it a world class tourism destination," said spokesperson for the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Kholofelo Khwinana.

MTPA chief executive officer Charles Ndabeni said the MTPA's 102 Days Quick Wins Programme, which was launched last month, would create an institutional framework that supports public and private sector partnerships aimed at boosting tourism.

He said tourism industry links within the province, as well as other with other provinces and Mozambique and Swaziland, would be strengthened.

"We have consulted and will continue to consult and partner with our stakeholders to devise and implement strategies to obtain maximum benefits before, during and beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup Tournament," said Ndabeni.

He said growing the province's tourism market share would help increase job creation and the participation of black-owned companies in the travel and wildlife industry.

Mpumalanga's tourism assets include the Kruger National Park and the Blyde River Canyon, which is the third largest canyon in the world. It has a massive wildlife tourism industry and trout fishing industry.

- African Eye