WITH over 200 water bodies, golfing facilities and art deco buildings, the City of Ekurhuleni is well poised to become Gauteng’s tourism destination of choice, delegates of the Ekurhuleni’s inaugural Tourism Conference heard.
Speaking at the two-day conference currently underway at The Lakes Hotel in Benoni, Finance and Economic Development MMC, Clr Doctor Xhakaza said it was time that Ekurhuleni’s tourism potential was released.
Xhakaza said his department had developed a Tourism Strategy 2016-2021 which will see development of the tourism infrastructure.
In line with the strategy, a sum of R10-million has been allocated for the 2016/17 financial year to create a tourism hub in Khumalo Street, Thokoza.
“The development of Khumalo Street is part of the broader township revitalisation plan. The objective is to turn the once notorious street into a tourism destination of choice,” said Xhakaza.
Amongst key tourism attractions outlined in the Tourism Strategy is the establishment of a visitor information centre at the OR Tambo International Airport, he explained.
The development of a Codesa (Convention for a Democratic South Africa) Museum is also on the cards, which will give visitors an account of Codesa negotiations which took place in Kempton Park to pave way for the democratic regime.
The Germiston area will not be the same when a waterfront facility at Germiston Lake is established.
The facility will boast a food court and a conference centre.
“These interventions are aimed at making Ekurhuleni globally known and to ensure that we strengthen the development of our local products, citizens’ standard of living and also strengthen our local businesses to alleviate unemployment and attract tourists in the City,” Xhakaza said.
