The Mpumalanga Tourism Expo has emerged as a landmark event for promoting sustainable tourism practices in South Africa. Organized annually by Jakada Holdings in partnership with the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the event showcases the province’s rich biodiversity, cultural heritage, and tourist attractions, positioning Mpumalanga as a premier tourist destination.
This year’s expo was held from 04 to 06 October 2024 at the Riverside Mall in Mbombela, and featured more than 60 exhibitors from across the country, including Gauteng, Western Cape, Kwa-Zulu Natal, North West, and Limpopo.
The event also included a speed marketing session, tours to eco-friendly destinations, and an educational tour for 50 tourism students from various schools and colleges in Mpumalanga to explore tourist attractions in the province and learn about the various career opportunities that are available in the sector.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Expo, Xolani Mthethwa, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jakada Holdings – a partner of the MTPA said the Expo is a catalyst for economic growth in the province.
“The fourth annual Mpumalanga Tourism Expo is a catalyst for tourism growth and job creation in the province.” said Mthethwa “This year we are targeting about 60 exhibitors including the Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and the Limpopo Tourism Agencies.”
Tourism agencies from the Kingdom of Eswatini and Mozambique were also present.
Mpumalanga, home to world-renowned attractions such as the Kruger National Park, the Blyde River Canyon, and the Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site, welcomed 1.8 million international tourists and recorded 2.3 million domestic travelers in 2023, driven by the province’s focus on sustainability. MTPA acting CEO, Justus Mohlala, noted the growing impact of the expo from international markets, citing interest from various countries in the SADC region.
“We see growth in interest from not only product owners around Mpumalanga but we see other provinces coming through, even within the SADC region” said Mohlala. “Interests are coming from as far as Zambia”
According to the August 2024 Statistical Release on Tourism and Migration by Stats SA, a total of 2.3 million travelers entered and exited South Africa. Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries constituted more than 76% of all tourists, with a majority of tourists coming from Zimbabwe, Eswatini, Mozambique, and Lesotho.
The MTPA has made significant progress in infrastructure development and tourist safety through strategic partnerships with businesses and government organisations. In December 2023, the South African Tourism Ministry launched the Tourism Monitors Programme in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, as part of the National Tourism Safety Strategy. This initiative involves collaboration between the South African Police Service (SAPS), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and private stakeholders like the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) and the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA).
MTPA acting CEO Justus Mohlala emphasised that the agency is working closely with these stakeholders to improve tourist safety in the province.
“We meet frequently and share information. As the MTPA, we have a victim support initiative – if our tourists happen to be victims of crime and we learn from our stakeholders about the incident, we quickly run there and assist them with whatever trouble they find themselves in.” said Mohlala.
The MTPA has also partnered with the Aspinall Foundation and its subsidiary WeWild Africa, to develop a major Big Five game reserve over the next five years. The project will focus on creating economic opportunities for local communities and aims to expand the reserve to 100,000 hectares over five years, positioning it as one of South Africa’s leading conservation areas.
Additionally, efforts to combat poaching and illegal mining in reserves like Manyeleti and Blyde River Canyon have seen successful partnerships with organizations like the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF), supporting field ranger deployment and mobile operations.
Furthermore, MTPA signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Township and Village Tourism Organization (SATOVITO) to support township and village tourism, focusing on empowering vulnerable groups and youth training.
The 4th Mpumalanga Tourism Expo treated visitors and guests to a wide array of presentations and exhibitions on sustainable tourism practices. These include demonstrations on eco-friendly accommodations, talks on biodiversity conservation, and interactive exhibits focusing on community-based tourism.
Visitors also experienced live performances, local art, and cuisine, all of which help to highlight the deep connections between the province’s natural resources and its people.
