The North West MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono says that in order to unblock the potential of Tourism and improve the escalation of the tourism economy in the province, it is important for people of the province to take pride in their rich heritage and culture. MEC Mohono was addressing tourism scholars, experts and Tourism Management students during a public lecture on tourism at the North West University in Mahikeng.
The public lecture was in partnership with Khaya Cool International Radio and North West University. It was held under the theme “Unlocking potentials of tourism in the province” and was aimed at creating a platform for dialogue and conversation between government and relevant stakeholders on issues which can further advance or discourse the improvement of the tourism sector in the province.
MEC Mohono said that there is a dire need to look at our tourism infrastructure correctly and explore methods of selling the rich heritage and culture as prime tourism products of our province.
“We have to also take it upon ourselves to promote and portray the province in a positive light. Our students in Tourism Management must also be able to sell our province in terms of tourism activities. We must know all our villages and what tourism resource they offer, this will enable us to sell these tourism products better as tourists do not necessarily pay for beds but they pay for experiences”, She said.
Professor and Head of Tourism at the North West University, Professor Haretsebe Manwa during her presentation on destination competitiveness said that in order for the province to be competitive in the tourism markets, there is a need to create a distinctive product. “The province has adequate resources to compete with the rest of the world. What we need is to build the necessary capacity and put destination management systems and policies in place. We also need to create a distinctive product for our province, which will set us apart from the rest”, she said.
Itumeleng Mangkge, a senior Tourism Management student of the North West University said that tourism in the North West province has potential it needs to be a tourism powerhouse. “It is very important that the opportunities offered by tourism in this province are not wasted. This province has the potential to be a global Tourism destination. It also has the potential to massively contribute towards the economy of our country”, Mangkge said.
For enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane
Tel: 018 388 2081
Cell: 072 542 8444
E-mail: dlolokwane@nwpg.gov.za
