Mpumalanga delegation jets off to Russia for tourism promotion and investment
Monday, 03 April 2017
RIVERSIDE: MEC for Finance, Economic Development & Tourism, Mr Sikhumbuzo Kholwane will on Tuesday, 04 April 2017 lead a delegation consisting of senior government officials and local business on an outbound mission to Russia.
The purpose of the mission is to consolidate bilateral relations between Mpumalanga Province and the Russian Federation on sustainable tourism development for inclusive growth.
In line with the commitment made by Premier DD Mabuza in his State of the Province Address earlier this year, ten (10) tour operators from Mpumalanga will form part of the delegation that will explore tourism opportunities and participate at the International Trade Exhibition in Yekaterinburg.
According to the Mpumalanga Economic Growth and Development Path, tourism is one of the major economic growth industries that has great potential to contribute an estimated 250 000 jobs in the Province by 2020.
MEC Sikhumbuzo Kholwane said the development and improvement of both public and private tourism infrastructure is a critical component of the government’s strategy to harness the potential of the industry to grow the provincial economy.
“The Provincial Government has identified catalytic projects to attract investment for the development of tourism infrastructure in order to give the visitors to the scenic province of Mpumalanga a world class experience and contribute to job creation.
Amongst the tourism products that the delegation will present to potential investors in Russia include, God’s Window Skywalk; Blyde River Canyon Cable Car, Theme Park in the Nkangala District and Songimvelo Malolotja Transfrontier” said MEC Kholwane.
The Provincial Government is determined to attract investment to increase the competitiveness of the tourism industry. We will continue to support private sector efforts to increase tourism products and create diversified tourism offerings for
both domestic and international tourists in our Province”, said MEC Sikhumbuzo Kholwane.
The mission takes place within the context of a bilateral cooperation mechanism between South Africa and the Russian Federation.