New resort to boast local tourism
"We have already identified local suppliers in the agricultural sector and others who we are going to do business with. This will boost our local economy."
MBOMBELA – The department of finance, economic development and tourism is directing its attention in supporting local tourism.
The department’s MEC, Mr Eric Kholwane and board members of the newly appointed Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) were among the dignitaries who attended the official launch of Mbombela Holiday Resort and Spa recently. The facility is situated 20 kilometres outside of the city on the N4 towards Johannesburg.
The launch came in the wake of the announcement of the newly appointed board members of the MTPA on Thursday. The new chairman of the board, Mr Thulani Nzima said the agency would strive to assist local businesses that were geared towards boosting local tourism.
Kholwane said the facility will address the triple challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality faced by the province and the country as a whole. Over 30 locals have already been employed at the resort. The MEC added that local economy stood to benefit from the resort.
The managing director of the facility, Mr Mandla Timana, committed himself to supporting local business with the advent of the centre.
“We have already identified local suppliers in the agricultural sector and others who we are going to do business with. This will boost our local economy,” he said.
“We want to take advantage of visits from our neighbouring countries to benefit the local economy,” said Timana.
The MTPA also added that it would go out to identify establishments that were owned by people who had been previously disadvantaged to give them necessary entrepreneurial skills to grow their business.
