Soweto to be the first township booking office for SanParks
This is aimed at reviving the ailing tourism sector in the country post Covid-19.
South African National Parks (SANParks) officially launched the first ever booking office in the heart of Soweto on Vilakazi Street.
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This is aimed at reviving the ailing tourism sector in the country post Covid-19 .The prestigious occasion also launched a partnership with student app, Varsity Vibe which will offer students from across the country exclusive deals in selected National Parks in a bid to get more young people exploring the natural heritage and iconic sites at a discounted rate.
“This partnership is aimed at promoting travel and tourism. We need to remind South Africans that it is their right to explore our country, its history and its wonders.
“Our interest in Varsity Vibe partnership has made us an even better SanParks and active ambassadors of brand South Africa,” Zukisa Ramasia, chairperson of tourism committee at SanParks board who delivered the keynote address said at the opening.
Ramasia explained the partnership was aimed at getting closer to the younger market as they would be offering users a 30% discount, on camping, accommodation and activities at selected national parks during specified periods on the Varsity Vibe app.
“The office will strive to enhance SanParks’ mandate to promote cultural heritage and tourism to the broader public in an area with many international visitors and new younger visitors which are the market we are actually learning on as we speak. We want everybody but we are learning on the younger market.”
The institution which has been operating at the famous street since 2019 will amongst others operate as an information and reservation office.
“Township tourism is a lucrative sector in the tourism industry and we want to work with local tourism authorities to market and profile our products as part of the broader tourism agenda for the community,” concluded Ramasia.
Chairperson of Soweto Tourism, Thato Mothopeng applauded the opening saying it will be a great addition to the promotion of local tourism.
“We thank SanParks for heeding the call to invest in Soweto and promoting tourism in our township. May this be done in other townships as well,” he said.
“This is a huge opportunity for bilateral inter-trade relations because we know that when you guys are here, we will be attracting more visitors.”
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Mothopeng called on the board of SanParks to utilize its services and personnel citing it was the solution needed to fight poverty and protecting infrastructure where safety is concerned in the area.
“We would like to extend a proposal for our local tour operators to become the out bound service provider for their market.
“We have a lot of people that own small businesses and tour operator companies that can service their clients.
“We would appreciate it if they get listed on the database.”
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