In a bid to support the tourism sector and lure more visitors, the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) tourism division has unveiled its plans to revitalise the sector and develop the economy.

The city briefly set out its tourism recovery plan during the launch of its stakeholder engagement sessions, which will serve as a platform for the city and businesses to meet, discuss industry issues, identify opportunities and exercise leverage.

These sessions will assist in preparations for the CoE’s Tourism Indaba, where players in the sector will meet, network, foster business relations, showcase their products and services, and discuss ways to promote tourism and economic growth in the city.

The launch on August 29 brought together an array of stakeholders, including captains of industry, tourism and hospitality players and local authorities.

Come on board
Addressing the attendees at the launch, the Department of Communications, Marketing and Tourism’s Phakamile Mbengashe reiterated the municipality’s commitment to boosting tourism.

He urged more players to get behind the project aimed at encouraging the safe return of domestic and international tourists to the country’s economic hub.

“The city is developing a new tourism strategy, and we felt that it’s important that we engage with our stakeholders to hear some of their problems and find out some of the solutions they propose to us.

“The city will host more stakeholder engagement sessions in the coming weeks in the different regions. It intends to host an Ekurhuleni Tourism Indaba, which will involve all stakeholders under one roof to provide information and data to develop a strategy that will turn around tourism in the city.

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“We need to make sure that visitors come, stay and spend their hard-earned money in the City of Ekurhuleni.”

Mbengashe pointed out that key stakeholders that are on board so far include the Peermont group, ANEW Hotels & Resorts, local business chambers and golf courses, and other local businesses.

“We hope the next engagement will be even fuller. We encourage more stakeholders to get on board. We not only want the big stakeholders, we also want macro and small tourism business stakeholders to come on board because their issues also matter, and we are willing to work together to make Ekurhuleni a better tourism destination.”

Industry players call for swift government action
Tourism and hospitality players who spoke to the Boksburg Advertiser at the launch said the impact and positive effect of the initiative will depend on how well the city works with the industry players in leveraging the opportunities.

Addressing major stumbling blocks identified during the stakeholder engagement sessions was also highlighted as a priority.
One of the industry players, Wellington Mkhize from the Germiston Business Forum, said: “We have a lot of opportunities to improve our city. So, I feel that this initiative is taking us a step in the right direction to talk to the powers that be to bring about a change and revive our city.”

Mkhize said many players in the sector are for the improvement of the city, and among the key issues is the long overdue revitalisation of the CBDs, issues at recreational and leisure facilities like lakes that are unused and left at the mercy of vandals and thieves.

“These lakes include the Germiston Lake together with the golf course, and all other local recreational facilities which need to be revived to make them destinations for tourism, or a must-visit for outdoor-lovers.

“We have a lot of people who are willing to fund the initiative as long as we get the authorisation and support from the council.”

Mkhize said if everything goes according to their plans, they already envisage many people cruising on local lakes that are clean and safe, with children playing around the parks, while others are showcasing their skills in golf and other recreational activities.

“The leisure facilities alone are an attraction to people landing in Ekurhuleni. When people land at OR Tambo Airport, they must be able to say I want to sit next to this lake. I want to dine and experience South Africa, and I want to play golf at Germiston Golf Club.”

Clean our streets
Mkhize added that on top of reviving the facilities, the city also needs to partner with the private sector to clean pavements, carry out constant monitoring of public spaces for safety, get rid of litter and make sure the pavements and sidewalks are pedestrian-friendly and walkable.

“We have to keep our city clean, because every part of the city is a reflection of what we are. When our streets are dirty and the road infrastructure is falling apart, it sends the wrong message, thus hampering tourism in the region.

“From experience, as part of the urban renewal project at Gandhi Square, located in the heart of Johannesburg CBD, we started with small things like painting the streets, pedestrianising the square, and addressing safety issues. Today, the area is both a popular local and international tourist attraction and a busy urban hub of commercial and retail activities.

“In Ekurhuleni, we have retailers who are willing to work with the government to make their town a safe place to work and play.

“We really don’t have to run to Sandton, we are the metropolis. We are right next to the airport, and people should want to come to us, not Rosebank. All we need is the buy-in and support from the municipality and captains of industry.”