The Department of Tourism, in partnership with the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism, is currently hosting its annual Sharing of Best Practises Workshop for countries from the African continent in Nelspruit. The workshop is scheduled to run from 19 to 22 February 2018, with intended outcomes to include strengthening regional integration and cooperation, exchanging and sharing knowledge and best practises on the management of tourism statistics, tourism policy and strategy, promotion of tourism along the heritage and cultural site through the Kruger National Park as a case study, grading and classification, sustainable tourism and social media in tourism.
The purpose of the workshop is to exchange information, experiences and expertise in the tourism sector, particularly management and development of tourism related projects and policy initiatives aimed at growing travel and tourism in South Africa and the rest of the continent. The workshop is one of the instruments used by the Department of Tourism to implement Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed with different African countries.
“Following the number of requests for assistance we have previously received from the various countries in the continent for training in certain areas of tourism, our department took a decision to develop a programme which facilitates training in accordance with the needs identified by the countries with whom we have signed MOUs,” said Deputy Director-General Aneme Malan during her opening remarks.
On the second day of the workshop, country representatives will be offered an opportunity to share their own tourism experiences and best practices. The aim is to provide them with an opportunity to highlight their countries’ significant tourism practices and tourism attractions and products.
Delegates attending the workshop originate from the following African countries: Ethiopia, Mali, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zimbabwe and the DRC, as well from Brazil, Sri Lanka and Palestinian State.
This year’s Sharing of Best Practices workshop is held alongside the margins of the East3Route, an investment seminar hosted by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency. This is an event hosted jointly with Swaziland, Mozambique, Seychelles, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga provinces. The East3Route is aimed at driving economic and social development for the South East coastal areas of Africa in the four countries.
On the last day of the workshop, guests will visit some of best tourist attractions in the province of Mpumalanga. These are the province’s hidden gems that attract tourists from all over the world for offering the world’s natural wonders.
Enquiries:
Ms Lulama Duma
Spokesperson
Department of Tourism
Telephone: +27 (0) 12 444 6709
Cell: +27 (0) 82 824 0028