The Eastern Cape has registered itself in the minds of international tourists as a preferred destination towards 2010 and beyond. This was evident in the last Soccerex Football Expo that was recently held in Johannesburg in the Sandton Convention Centre.
Scores of people poured into the provincial stand to get a glimpse of what the province had to offer. Amongst others, one of the most exciting things about the province amongst international visitors is the fact that the Eastern Cape is the birthplace of Nelson Mandela and many other well renowned heroes of the struggle for liberation.
The garden route is also a very powerful selling bite of the province and it has shown a considerable amount of popularity amongst both local and international travellers.
This is another wake up call to the citizens of the province especially small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) particularly residing closer to the Metro, Buffalo City, King Sabata Dalindyebo, Liberation Route and other places of tourism value.
Premier Kiviet said, “Over and above hosting visitors during 2010, our goal as government is to ensure that various identified legacy projects are enhanced and sustained long after the tournament has gone.”
Some of the key programmes include infrastructure development, improvement of the transport system and as well as the undoubted boost in the tourism sector. This then requires the province to position itself accordingly and put proper systems in place. That will enable the province to sustain the economic spin offs beyond the tournament itself.
Issued by: Eastern Cape Provincial Government
10 December 2009
Source: Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
