While September is celebrated as Tourism Month and offers an opportunity to emphasise the important role of tourism in Mpumalanga, poor service delivery and dilapidated infrastructure are seriously undermining the province’s tourism potential.
With the Kruger National Park, the Panorama Route and its location as a gateway to Eswatini and Mozambique, Mpumalanga possesses world-class tourism offerings. Breathtaking landscapes, wildlife, adventure and culture make the province a popular destination for local and international visitors.
Tourism brings approximately R11,7 billion in expenditure to the province and supports 4,6% of all job opportunities. It has been identified as a key sector for economic growth and job creation. This raises the question of why the provincial government and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency are not doing more to unlock this potential.
The Freedom Front Plus MPL, Mr Werner Weber, brought several tourism problems to the attention of the MEC for Tourism, Jesta Sidell, over the past month.
Dullstroom’s access routes are in a terrible condition. Local businesses report that visitors are going elsewhere to avoid damaging their vehicles and motorcycles.
At Greylingstad, a historical stone beacon on Slangfontein Mountain is not properly maintained. The beacon, which is traditionally whitewashed to be visible from afar, is dilapidated and barely visible.
In Pilgrim’s Rest, the historic Royal Hotel, which was recently renovated at great cost, has been standing empty for more than 18 months due to delays in the appointment of a new operator. This deals a severe blow to Pilgrim’s Rest and surrounding towns that rely heavily on tourism income.
The tourism sector will only grow if basic infrastructure and service delivery are up to standard.
During Tourism Month, the Freedom Front Plus will keep pressuring the provincial government to address these problems, especially with the December 2026 holiday season just around the corner.
