Tourism MEC Rodgers Monama declared that Limpopo secured the third-highest influx of visitors during the December holiday, accounting for 14.3%, following Gauteng and the Western Cape with 20.3% and 16.1%, respectively.
The 2022 Domestic Tourism Survey revealed a total of 33.1-million-day trips and 23.2 million overnight trips in South Africa, amounting to approximately R41.2 billion in expenditure.
He credited the swift recovery in the sector to collaborative efforts with the private sector, offering visitors unforgettable experiences.
At a strategic planning session held at Tzaneen Country Lodge last Thursday, Monama emphasized that mining, agriculture, and tourism constitute the three pillars of Limpopo’s economy.
“As a province, we possess some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, including Funduzi Lake in Vhembe, which should be on par with the Iguazu Falls located between the border of Brazil and Argentina. We boast natural sites such as Magoebaskloof and the Modimolle Mountains. We have two World Heritage Sites, namely Maphungubwe and Makapans Valley,” said Monama
Monama said that the sector has emerged from the tourism sector recovery, albeit with some setbacks, but progressively stronger.
“Tourism is one of the sectors severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with the outbreak impacting the entire tourism value chain. Recent statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organization indicate that international tourism has nearly fully recovered from the unprecedented crisis of Covid-19, with destinations and domestic trips reaching, and even surpassing, pre-pandemic arrivals,” stated Monama.
As the department responsible for tourism in the province, Monama emphasized the continued importance of setting the tone for the sector’s development for the next five years and beyond.
“We must leverage the uniqueness of the province and utilize it as an opportunity to maximize economic development, recognizing that tourism remains the largest employer across the value chain in the country’s economy. We have everything in Limpopo to turn our economic fortunes around,” concluded Monama.