Mpumalanga is now the third-most-visited province internationally, capturing 14% of international arrivals and the sixth-most-visited province in South Africa, capturing 7% of domestic trips. This is against an international market share of 12.8% in 2007 and a 6% market share of domestic trips in 2007.
Speaking at the media breakfast on Thursday, 6 August 2009, the chairperson of Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), Sabelo Mahlalela, said that the 2009/2010 financial year presents a major tourism opportunity for the agency to make a significant contribution towards the growth of the provincial economy. MTPA's focus during these growth years is to remain relevant to the key priorities of government by creating decent and sustainable jobs, growing the rural economy of the province, increasing investment within the tourism and wildlife industries and, most importantly, transforming the economy of the province to improve the lives of our people.
He noted that, for the first time since 2006, MTPA received a clean financial audit and this represents a major achievement towards creating a more efficient and sustainable financial situation within the organisation. The MTPA has fulfilled the obligations of both the Shareholder Compact and the Public Finance Management Act in executing its legislative mandate.
“The period 2008 to 2016 represents a very exciting time from which the MTPA must consolidate its achievements but, most importantly, drive growth within the tourism economy of the province. He noted that during the 2008/2009 financial year, the need to respond to both the global economic crisis and the challenges of realising the millennium development goals were prioritised and acted upon,” said Charles Ndabeni, CEO of MTPA.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup presents an unprecedented opportunity to market and promote Mpumalanga's tourism attributes to key international source markets - not only to tourism operators, but also to potential investors. With this in mind, MTPA continues to market the province actively. The target set is to harvest 10% of the international visitors in 2010, estimated at 450 000.
“Extending length of stay, facilitating geographic spread of visitation throughout the province and maximising tourist spend are the primary goals of the activities planned by MTPA around the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” added Ndabeni.
Ndabeni said a tourism collaboration agreement with the tourism authorities in Mozambique and Swaziland will be launched in September 2009. This collaboration agreement will be extended to include greater partnership with the Mbombela Municipality, the 2010 Provincial Office, the Ehlanzeni District Municipality and the Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation to deliver on the key objectives of the 2010 Tourism Organising Plan.
Mpumalanga is a province endowed with unparalleled natural beauty, a kaleidoscope of culture, a rich heritage, reverting wildlife, and a plentiful of adventure activities. It offers exceptional and unique attractions, which will leave each traveller rejuvenated.
“Our objective is, thus, to make Mpumalanga a world-class tourism destination that will continue to attract the increasing number of tourists who will have the advantage to experience some of the most stunning scenery,” enthused Mahlalela.
