Tourism

International golf puts Limpopo on television screens.

When golf’s Sunshine Tour descended on Modimolle in February, there was much more on offer than R3.5-million in prize money for the Limpopo Championship. Participants and followers were treated to evenings of comedy and jazz and could buy a wide range of goods from stalls set up at the Euphoria Golf and Lifestyle Estate; everything from beads and books to locally-made gin. The fact that this tournament is co-sanctioned by the European Challenge Tour increases the potential for marketing to a large audience and will raise awareness about the province as a golf destination.

Armed Forces Day was held in and around Polokwane in February 2020. Events included displays of military equipment, a career village for prospective recruits, arena events, a fun run and a flypast. Accommodation was at a premium in the provincial capital and the event proved a boost to local tourism. Armed Forces Day is held annually in commemoration of the sinking of the SS Mendi on 21 February 1917, one of the worst tragedies of the First World War (1914-1918) from a South African perspective.

Tourism is a key sector in the economy of Limpopo, and as such is part of a new planning initiative called Impact Catalyst. In addition to a broad examination of the sector, specific thematic areas of focus include the game-farming sector, an important and lucrative subsector of tourism. Wildlife farming and hunting generates enormous amounts of money but South Africans who were previously excluded by law still have limited access to this sector. According to calculations done by a Professor in Tourism at the University of the North West, Peet van der Merwe, trophy and biltong hunters contributed a combined R13.6-billion to the South African economy in the 2016/17 season. The number of direct jobs created in this period in Limpopo was 17806 (The Conversation).

In 2018, the formal wildlife auction turnover for the whole of South Africa was R750million, as reported by Yolande Groenewald in the Mail & Guardian. A buffalo bull was sold in 2016 for R178-million. The Limpopo Department of Economic Development and Tourism (LEDET) aims to create wider opportunities within these sectors via its Wildlife Transformation Policy.

A total of 3.3-million people visited Limpopo in 2018, which number included an increased number of international tourists (2.2-million). In terms of domestic travel, Limpopo is the most-visited province in South Africa. According to the Premier’s office, the tourism sector employs about 22 414 people.

The Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) has six focus areas: · Golf and game. · Hunting and safari. · Family and recreation. · Special interest. · Mega-conservation. · Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Events (MICE).

A new event on Limpopo’s calendar caused great excitement in 2018 with the first riding of the Tour de Limpopo,

2020 Limpopo Championship. Pic: Shaun Roy/Sunshine Tour Sector Insight Armed Forces Day was held in Limpopo in 2020.

a four-day UCI Africa Tour 2.2 stage race which started and finished in Polokwane, with a stopover in Tzaneen. A range of sponsors enthusiastically endorsed the race, promoted by the LTA. Hotel@Tzaneen and Europcar South Africa were sponsors and race officials were provided with cars by Audi Centre Polokwane. Another kind of cycle race is the regular Kremetart Cycle Race, a popular family event that draws huge numbers of entries.

Regular events are holding their own as well: the annual Limpopo Marula Festival in Phalaborwa attracts more than 20 000 participants and is estimated to inject upwards of R45-million into the provincial economy. Several neighbouring countries are well represented in the crowds and 13 cooperatives operating under the Mukumbi Industries brand normally brew about 12 000 litres of marula beverages for the thirsty crowds. Other marula products are also sold such as nuts, body lotions, jam, cooking oil and soap.

The Mapungubwe Festival is growing in stature every year. In addition to popular musical performances, crafters have an opportunity to display their crafts and generate good income during the festivities.

Hotels and casinos

The 160-room Park Inn by Radisson Polokwane has opened in the provincial capital. Located near the golf course and the Peter Mokaba Stadium, the hotel also has conference and event facilities. Tsogo Sun runs the Garden Court Polokwane, which has 180 rooms ranging from executive suites to family rooms.

The Protea Hotel group has two hotels in the province. The Protea Hotel Landmark in Polokwane has 80 rooms and six conference venues. Just outside the city is the Protea Hotel Polokwane Ranch Resort where guests can walk with lions. The hotel is on a 1 000-hectare nature conservancy and specialises in weddings.

In Mokopane near the Waterberg mountains, the family-run The Park Hotel Mokopane has 125 rooms and can cater for up to 400 conference delegates. The three-star hotel recently added 25 selfcatering units.

The Fusion Boutique Hotel in the provincial capital offers fivestar quality in 30 en-suite rooms and two exclusive suites. Sun International runs the Meropa Casino and Entertainment World near Polokwane. The Khoroni Hotel, Casino and Convention Resort is in Thohoyandou. A three-star Peermont Metcourt Hotel is in the same complex.

The newest casino licence was awarded to Peermont Global Resorts for the official launch and operation of the Thaba Moshate Casino, Hotel and Conference Centre in the Greater Tubatse Local Munici-pality. There are 237 limited pay-out gambling machines in the province, and licences of one sort or another generate more than R50-million for the provincial government. ■

Game drive, Kruger National Park. Image: SA Tourism

Online Resources

Confederation of Hunting Associations of South Africa: www.chasa.co.za Limpopo Tourism Authority: www.golimpopo.com Marula Festival: www.limpopomarulafest.co.za South African National Parks: www.sanparks.org