Maruleng Tourism Association boosts Hoedspruit
A new tourism association has been launched in Hoedspruit to promote the area as a top destination and drive sustainable tourism growth.
LIMPOPO – To promote and drive tourism in Hoedspruit, a group of tourism operators and establishments has established the Maruleng Tourism Association (MTA).
This initiative aims to consolidate efforts to attract more visitors to the region’s game reserves, lodges, and natural and cultural attractions.
“Forty companies in the area attended the founding meeting in Hoedspruit on Wednesday, November 20,” said Tom Vorster, one of the initiators of MTA. We explained our plans and have registered it as a non-profit company (NPO) with a constitution that needs approval. A board of directors can only be elected after we have enrolled members. In the interim, we have volunteers serving on the interim board to gain as many members as possible,” Vorster told the Herald.
Vorster encouraged interested parties to visit their website, www.marulengtourism.co.za, where they can complete a membership form.
“We already have between 15 and 20 organisations or establishments that have signed up as members. The name, Maruleng Tourism Association, was chosen in alignment with the local municipality.”
According to Vorster, marketing will be branded as Destination Hoedspruit.
The initiative has been well received, including by Maruleng Local Municipality (MLM) Mayor Tseko Musolwa, who gave his blessing.
“We are not restricted by provincial boundaries, as many private game reserves are in Mpumalanga. However, with Eastgate Airport being in Maruleng, many use Hoedspruit as their place of business,” Vorster explained.
A credible tourism association recognised by MLM Tourism, Mopani District Municipality Tourism, and Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) will contribute to marketing efforts and engage with communities and local authorities in job creation.
The association will collaborate with the Hoedspruit Chamber/Sakekamer on matters affecting both organisations, such as the R40 interchange, littering, and road conditions.
The primary purpose of the MTA is to promote tourism rather than individual establishments. Among their goals are advocating for policies supporting sustainable tourism, protecting natural and cultural heritage, providing training and support for members, fostering community participation in tourism-related activities, and monitoring the impacts of tourism on the local environment and communities to ensure responsible and ethical tourism practices.
Vorster concluded by saying they aim to have MTA fully functional by early next year.
