With Tourism Month well under way, special attaché for the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT), Oupa Pilane, featured in a special segment on Carte Blanche about the state of the neglected tourism sites on the Panorama Route on Sunday, September 21.

He questioned the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency’s (MTPA) budget constraints and why it had failed to market these sites.

ALSO READ: Panorama Route mismanagement threatens tourism economy

An interview was also conducted with former acting CEO of the MTPA, Justus Mohlala, who said that the sites are about nature and not the infrastructure.

“The waterfalls are still dripping and the water at Bourke’s Luck is still meandering through the potholes.”

His statement has received significant backlash on social media, where people pointed out that the sites are not only about beautiful views, but also about proper conservation and providing tourists with accessible roads and well-maintained, useable facilities.

In response to Mohlala’s statement, Pilane said:

“We are in trouble as a province. There is no way the MTPA will change our tourism fortunes with such people at the helm.”

On Tuesday, July 15, Pilane took the media and other KLCBT members on a tour of the Panorama Route. He had initially planned to meet with the MTPA at the neglected sites for which they are responsible, but the agency refused and insisted they meet at their offices.

The tour of the sites revealed weak infrastructure that lacked water and functional toilets. Information boards were illegible and the sites were tarnished with litter.

ALSO READ: MEC and Mpumalanga tourism leaders discuss Panorama Route revitalisation

The MTPA, KLCBT and the MEC for economic development and tourism, Jesta Sidell, held a meeting on August 11 to establish actionable plans for these sites. An agreement was reached to reserve site income and ensure that funds are used for the sites’ upkeep. It was additionally agreed that the Tourism Think Tank would be revived to strategise the revitalisation of Mpumalanga’s tourism sector. This committee would meet quarterly with subcommittees to discuss marketing, infrastructure, development and safety issues.

ALSO READ: KLCBT outlines urgent Panorama Route fixes, awaits MTPA response

The department executed a clean-up campaign of the Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels on Heritage Day (September 24) with the aim of improving their appeal.

Pilane responded that this was not enough.

“Despite our discussions with the MEC, the proposed Tourism Think Tank has not yet convened. We also remain unclear as to whether income earned at the reserves is being utilised for tourism development.”

He added that the KLCBT needs to shift its focus to fixing the attractions and ensuring equitable partnerships with Communal Property Associations instead of prioritising photo opportunities over sustainable development.

ALSO READ: Oupa Pilane slams MTPA over alleged Panorama Route corruption

In 2024, Mpumalanga had the second-highest number of foreign arrivals in the country and contributed a notable percentage to the national tourism GDP.