Local government celebrated the first day of spring at the Lowveld National Botanical Garden with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and the MEC for economic development and tourism, Jesta Sidell. They held a media briefing that launched Tourism Month and provided details on the upcoming G20 meeting.

This year, the national theme is “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.” Sidell said that the venue choice was deliberate, as a symbol of their commitment to eco-friendly tourism.

Tourism Month events start on September 4, with the Provincial Tourism Careers Expo, which takes place in Mashishing. The expo targets learners from grades nine to 11 and aims to educate students on conservation and career opportunities within the tourism sector.

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From September 5 to 7 the department will host the Teacher Development Programme to establish educators’ needs – aligned to the tourism curriculum – and to enhance their understanding of the tourism sector.

Sidell said that the Mpumalanga Parks Week will take place between September 8 and 12, giving locals free access to 10 selected nature reserves in the province:

Ehlanzeni District
Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve
Mahushe Shongwe Nature Reserve
Manyeleti Nature Reserve

Nkangala District
Loskop Dam Nature Reserve
Mkhombo Nature Reserve
SS Skosana Nature Reserve

Gert Sibande District
Nooitgedacht Dam Nature Reserve
Ohrigstad Dam Nature Reserve
Songimvelo Nature Reserve (including Kromdraai Camp)

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The Barberton Makhonjwa Mountain Marathon, organised by the MTPA, is also set to take place in September. The marathon, the only one in South Africa to be hosted on a World Heritage site, aims to promote Barberton as a tourism destination. The event will also feature a business exhibition showcasing local products and SMMEs.

On September 20, Provincial Tourism Day will be hosted in Bethal, Govan Mbeki Local Municipality. This initiative will educate local communities about responsible tourism and encourage the preservation of heritage and culture. The event is hosted annually and rotates among the three district municipalities of the province before the celebration of the World Tourism Day on September 27.

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The department will host the Mpumalanga Tourism Expo from September 26 to 28. The expo will provide a platform for tourism growth through a three-day exhibition at Riverside Mall. Sixty tourism entities from across Africa will exhibit their products and services.

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The G20 Tourism Ministers’ Meeting will take place on September 12 at the Nombolo Mdhuli Conference Centre in the KNP’s Skukuza Rest Camp. “The G20 visit is expected to bring significant economic benefits, including increased media exposure, potential for future investments and job creation,” Sidell said. During the meeting, provincial government plans to share legacy projects, including the G20 Tourism Hackathon Challenge that will recognise young innovators who have developed AI solutions for sustainable tourism.

Sidell highlighted in her statement that Mpumalanga received the country’s second highest number of international tourists in 2024 and that with these initiatives they hope to further improve tourism growth.