LTA CEO encourages promoting African homestays

Chief Executive Officer of Limpopo Tourism Agency, Nomasonto Ndlovu has urged rural communities in the province to open their traditional homes as homestays for international tourists.
Ndlovu was addressing the Limpopo Women in Tourism’s gala dinner held at a venue outside Polokwane last Wednesday evening.
Ndlovu reportedly said that art and craft, African cuisine and offering homestays in traditional African homes are some of the elements available that could enhance tourism in the province and give rural persons acess to the benefits thereof.

Grace Sibara, Chairperson of Limpopo Women in Tourism echoed Ndlovu’s sentiments: “This is a viable business and we would love to see more community members venturing into and maximising on it. Some international tourists want to learn more about the culture of the people in rural communities, their day to day life and their villages,” she exlained.
Ndlovu reportedly praised the National Department of Tourism (NDT) for introducing the Women in Tourism Programme, an initiative that seeks to propel and support the development and empowerment of women in the sector.
“The Women in Tourism Programme integrates women from diverse backgrounds to converge on a set of common goals and interests that will ensure their success in the sector.”
Since its inception in 2013, the programme has served as a mechanism to elevate the status of women in tourism by providing training, empowerment and networking opportunities that facilitate their competitiveness as professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders. “Women occupy a special place in the Tourism and Travel industry. Already I know of a number of women who own tourism establishments as well as travel agencies in the province. Our intention as LTA is to see this number increase and ensure that more job opportunities are created to reduce poverty and unemployment in our province,” she concluded.

Story: Herbert Rachuene
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