Tag: local tourism orginization

Blood, Sweat and Spectacles

Blood, Sweat and Spectacles

It was a hotly contested Amazing Race Saturday.  28th of October 2023 was a memorable day; the country was on tender hooks, because of the Rugby World Cup final that evening. Nevertheless, ten teams started their day competing in the Amazing Race 2023 Middelburg. They gave it their all, some their blood, some their tears and the deciding factor was spectacles.

At the start of the race, everyone was dressed to the nines, or rather in their rugby shirts, t-shirts or as branded teams. The energy was palpable and one or two team members looked like they were waiting in the starting blocks for the whistle.

The MCCI marshals held the envelopes ready and then Zelda blew the whistle for the race to start. Fortunately, no animals or small children were harmed in the race for the first clue. The teams scattered like rabbits to their vehicles, to be the first at clue number 1.

What fun it is to marshal this event. Some people could park like champions; others could not even read GPS coordinates to save their lives, and anyone who saw the teams at BUCO, no, that was the race, not crazies in the store. Brimis, your clue was perplexing and many stood in front of your gate looking around like zombies ready to attack. Water and fire were the challenges at Vivo Bingo and the region’s tourism stops.

Two teams were neck and neck to the end, and If Erica van Zyl and her team of JJ Engineering had not lost her glasses in the challenge at Alveston Manor, Nico Denner and his Gemecs team would not have won for the Amazing Race for the third time.

Everyone who took part, from the little ones to the more experience team members, everybody had fun. See you in September 2024 for our next Amazing Race.

Africa Durban Trade Indaba 2023

Africa Durban Trade Indaba 2023

From the 9th to the 11th of May 2023, Durban ICC was the host site for the African Trade Indaba. This spectacular event drew in people from all across the continent as well as international investors who were all looking for ways to showcase all the best parts of Africa.

This event provided a wonderful opportunity for all those in attendance to market themselves as well as their province or country. There were a lot of companies from all across Africa that were looking for ways to generate more interest in their country to help improve their business as well as their country’s economic growth from tourism revenue.

The Middelburg Info center managed to reach out to several of these companies and foster good relations with them in order to get brochures and pamphlets which we can use to showcase all the awe inspiring sights across our continent.

Under Construction: Outdoor Information Board

Under Construction: Outdoor Information Board
The Outdoor Information Board (OIB) next to the entrance door of the Tourist Information Centre is currently being updated.

It is the only map that is reviewed and updated with information from the Town Planning Department. The purpose of the OIB is to have a secure, 24-hour, well-lit map for tourists, couriers, and the community to find their way to a specific address. The map has grid lines and block designations for easy reference.

We are changing the map and there is a great opportunity for your business to show your patronage by placing an ad on the OIB to support this community service through the Tourist Information Centre.

Interested parties can contact Muhammed at 013 243 2253 or at enquiries@middelburginfo.com.

Elected Local Tourism Leaders

Elected Local Tourism Leaders

The Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) of the Nkangala district held its first AGM in November 2022 at Nkangala district Municipality and members of the six Local Tourism Organisations (LTO) elected the new executive members.

The RTO comprises six active LTO members from the six municipalities in the Nkangala District and the home to the world-renowned Dr. Esther Mahlangu. The purpose of the RTO is to help market and boost tourism in the area.

They selected the following members to serve on the board for 3 years. Bongane Mabena- Chairperson, Trina Matheson –Deputy Chairperson, Mary Nkosi- Treasury, Margret Mahlangu –Secretary, Katrine Mnguni –Deputy secretary, and Mmabatho Phathakge – Additional member.

We encourage members of the public to register and take part in boosting the tourism economy and making their town known in the tourism sector.

For more information on how to register or get involved, you can contact Mmabatho at 013 243 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com

 

Tourism Development in STLM

Tourism Development in STLM
The local tourism organization in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality held its quarterly meeting on 18 October 2022. The industry discussed tourism repositioning, reconstruction, and funding opportunities available to tourism businesses.

Members made suggestions on how we can attract tourists and generate revenue. Adriaan Esterhuizen from BMDC gave a presentation on funding opportunities for tourism and how tourism members can apply for these funds. Qualified for these funds are SMEs that provide the following services:  Transport services – i.e. tour/shuttle services ❑ Travel agencies ❑ Tour operators’ ❑ Boutique Hotels ❑ Guesthouses ❑ Bed & Breakfasts ❑ Hospitality (including restaurants)

For more information on how to access these funds, please contact: adriaan@bmdc.co.za

SANParks is open for bookings in June/July 2023

SANParks is open for bookings in June/July 2023
For your personal SANPARKS booking, come to the Tourist Office in Middelburg, where we have lots of information about the National Parks and you can speak to a member of staff personally about your holiday.

The South African National Parks (SANParks) offers a wide range of accommodation in South Africa and the Middelburg Information Centre is one of SANParks’ satellite offices in Middelburg, Mpumalanga. We provide a fast, effective and efficient service at all times. We have access to all Sanparks, not just the Kruger National Park, so planning a holiday for you is just a phone call away.
South African National Parks (SANParks) is currently offering 40% off selected parks and camps.

The park is filling up fast; let us help you book your accommodation before it’s too late.
For more information, call 013 243 2253 or email: info@middelburginfo.com

There is no Just in Just Transition.

There is no Just in Just Transition.
On Tuesday, 30 November 2021, TIPS held a public debate on the key priorities and challenges for a Just Transition in the Emalahleni and Steve Tshwete areas. A statement was made and supported by many that there is no “Just” in the government’s Just Transition programme (JET) for citizens affected.

The JET Programme has been discussed for many years, first at the national level, then at the district level and more recently at the local level. Many consultants have been active in the area, collecting data, and some have even implemented programmes. Although it is still early, it seems that communities, from municipal officials to labour union representatives, are unhappy about what JET might mean for their future.

What projects have been approved, who is funding these projects, and the key outcomes that each project aims to achieve. The community has participated in many projects, skills training, entrepreneurship training and so on, but if there is no prospect of earning, the skills become obsolete. We do not want to be seen as charity recipients who have to be given a dummy to keep us quiet.

MCCI urges all stakeholders to create sustainable projects that provide secure jobs for participants. What market do they want to create with the new technology, or is the project only viable with continued financial support? There should be an open database of available information to prevent collusion, and the plans need to be available on the ground. How many of the recently launched projects have been successful?

The consultants and academics and the companies outside the Highveld region of Mpumalanga see us as needing help, even though they make their millions from local business opportunities. MCCI believes that the skills and talent are there, and we have a vested interest in making JET sustainable and successful. May the ghosts in the ghost town that “they” predict remain in their imagination. MCCI is continually committed to sustainable programmes to support and grow our economy. If you are interested in more information, please contact Mmabatho at info@middelburginfo.com

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Exciting Times Are Here

Exciting Times Are Here

Tired of visiting Middelburg and not know where to go and what to do for fun, well worry no more.

The Middelburg Information Centre is developing a substantial visitor’s guide, which will benefit the people of Middelburg and tourists visiting us.

The visitor’s guide will contain insightful tourist information and in-depth history of the town. This project aims not only to return the tourism sector’s

performance to levels it reached before the outbreak of COVID-19 but to make sure that Middelburg becomes the No1 tourist destination in our area.

 

Tourism is a vital contributor to the South African economy. Its extensive value chain and labour absorption capacity are seen as a tool for economic development.

Tourism potential is vast and is yet to be fully unlocked. Our objective with this project is to create awareness and grow the market rate in Middelburg.

 

Should you want your establishment to be listed in the visitor’s guide, forward your information to

Mmabatho Phathakge on 013 243 2253 or email her at info@middelburginfo.com

Why belong to a Local tourism Organization?

Why belong to a Local tourism Organization?

Mpumalanga has a well-established and vibrant tourism industry, and the Loskop Leisure Route (Steve Tshwete Municipal area) forms another vital part of the industry.

As a halfway stop to Kruger Park, it gives us the advantage to capitalize on those tourists to generate our Region’s income. The collective product owners in the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality

should grow our tourism specific attractions. Critical mass will give us the momentum to achieve our goal.

 

Here are a few key focus areas of the Middelburg Local Tourism Organisation (part of the Middelburg Chamber):

  • Manage the local area’s Information Office(s) and feed into the provincial information system.
  • Receive and channel applications for local road signs from members to the municipality.
  • Encourage tourists to visit the destination and experience what it has to offer.
  • Encourage and develop ways in which a community can be more aware of and be skilled in tourism so that members of the community treat tourists suitably.
  • Represent members and encourage product owners to join organized RTO’s and LTO’s to create a coordinated point of dialogue and realize the economic benefits that tourism can bring to a locality and ensure inclusiveness in the sector.
  • Are in touch with, input into, and are represented in the local, district, and provincial tourism planning, e.g. through IDP process and Provincial Tourism planning processes.
  • Coordinate tourism projects that rejuvenate and upgrade public tourism attractions and sites, poverty alleviation projects, and capacity building.
  • Assist with the establishment of new LTO’s where required.
  • Develop virtual networks and other methods to disseminate tourism information about the destination.
  • Play a meaningful role in destination marketing, events promotion, etc., for the locality.
  • Create and maintain relationships with other RTO’s, LTO’s, industry associations/organizations, local and district municipalities, and provincial government.
  • Keep a general watch over tourism development requirements, statistics, and tourism product/plant in their Region and share it with the government as and when requested.

It is essential to belong to an LTO as it is the stepping stone to growing and developing tourism in our Region. For more information regarding affiliating with your Local Tourism Organization,

you can contact the Information Centre on 013 243 2253 or email us at reservations@midelburginfo.com