On Monday, August 11, the MEC of the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism (Dedet), Jesta Sidell met with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), and the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT). The promising meeting was convened at the MEC’s provincial office in Riverside Park to discusse plans to revamp the neglected sites along the Panorama Route.

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The MEC opened the meeting by acknowledging the infrastructural breakdown at the sites and stressing that the management of the reserves cannot be compromised.

The MTPA reiterated that interventions were already under way to address infrastructure-related constraints, adding that these interventions aimed to restore and improve the state of the tourism sites and ensure that tourists’ visits are not compromised.

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The special attaché of the KLCBT, Oupa Pilane, presented a report drafted by himself and Lisa Sheard, a former KLCBT representative, on the state of the attractions under the MTPA’s management. The report follows Pilane’s declined invitation to the MTPA to join a media tour on July 15 to assess neglected sites and collaborate on their maintenance.

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After sharing the report, an agreement was reached to ring-fence site income and ensure that funds are used for the sites’ upkeep. Additionally, it was agreed that the Tourism Think Tank would be revived to strategise the revitalisation of Mpumalanga’s tourism sector. This committee will have quarterly meetings with subcommittees to discuss marketing, infrastructure, development and safety issues.

“We are at a turning point. By focusing on what matters, fixing our tourism assets and encouraging inclusive growth, we can make Mpumalanga a world-class destination,” Pilane said.

Linda Grimbeek, CEO of the KLCBT, added that she is hopeful that with the newly appointed MEC, organisations can move forward and implement the changes suggested in the meeting.

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She shared in the KLCBT newsletter that they plan to create a policy on funding events to ensure that they promote tourism.

“The biggest message to the launch of Tourism Month is to see all of us working together to clean and fix the sites,” Grimbeek said.