Since the West Rand District Municipality’s (WRDM) Tourism Awards recently put the spotlight on a number of the West Rand’s tourism role-players who have excelled, the News has decided to turn the spotlight back on the district’s Executive Mayor and the tourism industry.
With six years as the WRDM Executive Mayor behind him, Mpho Nawa is considered the right person to champion our tourism industry. “The West Rand is more than just a discovery, it is an outdoor, leisure and wedding paradise,” the Executive Mayor said.
He unveiled the inaugural tourism Wall of Excellence last month, giving prominence to six businesses that were featured on the wall and other businesses that were part of the networking event.
“We can be proud of our district because it has produced nationally and internationally renowned businesses in the tourism industry, which is what the WRDM supports and promotes. Our tourism awards are a project that assists emerging players to enter the main-stream economy and rewards and celebrates excellence across the industry while providing exposure,” he told the News.
Although the awards are a great initiative, many businesses are still in their infancy and the West Rand district can also assist them.
The WRDM urges business owners to register on its database for supply-chain management purposes. It promises to develop businesses that are taking baby steps and will assist in turning your idea into a product, helping with business-plan writing and marketing, and finding capital to make your dream a reality.
“We want to build on both eco- and agri-tourism and promote the West Rand as the best adventure and culture experience in Gauteng.”
Locals are not excluded from our thriving tourism industry. It is important for them to participate in their own industry so that the West Rand can benefit from a collective effort. Community members can take part in tourism events by spending their holidays touring the West Rand instead of travelling to other provinces
“Create your own tourism product or experience and the WRDM will help you get it off the ground. We will also help you to collaborate with other tourism products in the district. Business owners who approach us can obtain exposure through the marketing material developed by the West Rand District Municipality, and their brochures can be submitted to our office for onward distribution. You can make a difference in your own backyard – contribute to making the West Rand the best and the district will be willing to help you.”
Read more:
[WATCH] Tourism wall of excellence unveiled
WRDM’s State of the District Address
Nawa’s last State of the District address
Premiers and mayors swing it for charity
Nawa’s impressive vision at Soda
