The North West Department of Economic development, environment,
conservation and Tourism, (DEDECT), together with the North West Parks and
Tourism Board, has welcomed the establishment of the Madibeng Tourism
Association during the stakeholder engagement held at Harties Harbour in
Hartbeespoort Dam.
The engagement was aimed at discussing opportunities for growing the
tourism economy and unlocking the area's development potential.
The session was led by MEC for Economic development, Conservation and
Tourism, Bitsa Lenkopane and the CEO of the North West Parks and Tourism
Board, Mr Jonathan Denga.
key tourism stakeholders, including representatives of the North West
Gambling Board, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa, the Madibeng
Tourism Association, Madibeng Local Municipality, tourism businesses,
community members, potential investors and government officials, were part
of the engagement session.
The engagement, forms part of the build-up activities towards the launch of
the Tourism Month in September. Addressing stakeholders, MEC Lenkopane,
said Hartbeespoort remains one of the province's most important tourism
destinations and holds enormous potential to drive investment, enterprise
development and job creation.
Among the initiatives discussed during the engagement was the proposed
Harties Steam Train Project, a catalytic tourism development aimed at
revitalising a section of the historic railway line in Hartbeespoort.
The MEC and stakeholders conducted a site visit to assess progress on the
project, which has already completed feasibility studies and preparatory
work.