Limpopo celebrates World Tourism Day

The province celebrated the international day in style at Karibu Leisure Resort, when Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) and Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (Ledet) invited tourism stakeholders from all over the province to come together. The celebration was presided over by Ledet MEC Rodgers Monama who gave the keynote address. He was supported by the MEC for Sport, Arts and Culture, Nakedi Sibanda-Kekana who also gave a message of support and Tzaneen Mayor Gerison Molapisane.

This was the 43rd anniversary of the celebrations since its inception in 1980 by United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), with this year’s theme as ‘Tourism and Green Investment’ under which Tourism Month is celebrated. For World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlighted the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, planet and for prosperity. In his address Monama, said, “bringing this event closer to home, our purpose for the day is to highlight Limpopo’s diverse offerings for the people of our province.

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As Limpopo, our hospitality has set us apart and positioned us as the much sought after destination. Ours is a tourism sector that is celebrated globally to highlight our diverse offerings as well as the sector’s significant contribution toward the provincial economy”. He said he is confident that recent events, including the Phalaphala FM Royal Heritage Festival that was held at Nandoni Dam, will no doubt increase the volumes of domestic trips to the province, and help to create jobs to fight poverty, unemployment and inequality.

“Tourism is a powerful driver for sustainable development. As a country, we are still on the chase for the 21 million tourists target by 2030 set by the president three years ago in his State of the Nation Address. Our province should make a valuable contribution to this target, and I am confident that we will meet it if we pull together our forces. As we celebrate, let us not be oblivious to this important assignment”.

Also present at the event were the  LTA board chairperson Andrew Dipela, Ledet HOD  Matodzi Rathumbu, LTA CEO Moses Ngobeni and councillors from various municipalities. The local Tsonga traditional dance group entertained guests and, announced as a surprise artist, Candy Mokoena made sure she did not disappoint. She pleaded for support from Limpopo government as she will be launching her new album in October 2023.