conference facility
13 February 2009
The latest tourism statistics indicates that the province is beginning to
reclaim its status as the world class destination of choice for tourists in the
country, says MEC for Economic Development and Planning, Craig Padayachee.
Addressing dignitaries at the official opening of the state-of-the-art
conference centre called Nhlangano in Hazyview, MEC Padayachee said the latest
statistics indicate that the province has climbed to the third spot in terms of
international arrival as at December 2008.
"I would like to thank all tourism stakeholders who have contributed to this
important development. It is facilities like Nhlangano conference centre and
the visionaries behind such and similar developments in the province that has
ensured that we attract more international tourists in the province lately,"
says MEC Padayachee.
He said the opening of Nhlangano conference centre is a necessary addition
to the growing portfolio of tourism facilities and services that is
contributing to the growth of the sector in the province.
"The launch and official opening of this centre is an affirmation of our
long held view that the province has the capacity to become one of the leading
provinces among other provinces and become a priority destination for both
international and domestic tourists."
Padayachee added that the confidence that is placed on the ability of the
tourism industry to grow even more despite the current economic situation is
not misplaced because of huge attractions for the tourists in the coming months
and year.
"The country will be the playground for major rugby and soccer matches this
year and in 2010. There is therefore a justification for our confidence in the
ability of the industry to help us overcome the effect of the economic
challenges that we are experiencing, said Padayachee.
The number of inbound tourists rose in the first two quarters of the year
that ended in September 2008 despite earlier forecast of decline in tourism
demands by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) in its World
Tourism Barometer (SAT Q1 2008).
The Ministry for Tourism and Environmental Affairs also noted recently that
5,5 million foreign tourists visited South Africa in the first seven months of
last year, a 7,8 percent increase over the 5,1 million foreigners who visited
the country in the same period in 2007.This was matched by number of job
opportunities that were created as a result of the surge in number of
international visitors to our shores.
Nhlangano conference centre is part of Casa do Sol Hotel and Resort which is
situated in Hazyview, Mpumalanga Province, about 10 kilometres from the Kruger
National Park. The hotel was acquired by Tourvest in October 2006 and underwent
R10 million worth of refurbishments and renovations in 2007. The facility is
equipped with the most advanced multi-media equipment and has a complete
block-out facility, marking it as the most sophisticated facility available in
Mpumalanga conference circuit.
For more information contact:
Thomas Msiza
Tel: 013 766 4136
Cell: 079 5000 137
Issued by: Department of Economic Development and Planning, Mpumalanga
Provincial Government
13 February 2009
