6 days ago
Mpumalanga's tourism sector gets a digital boost
The minister of tourism, Patricia de Lille, hosted a community engagement session on the first G20 Tourism Priority on Thursday, July 31, at the Tshwane University of Technology's (TUT) Mbombela Campus.
This focused on people-centred artificial intelligence and innovation to enhance travel and tourism start-ups as well as small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
The event was held in collaboration with the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development and Tourism and the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency.
According to De Lille, the session aimed to bring stakeholders and academia together to explore how digital transformation and innovation can unlock opportunities for businesses and communities.
It was held under the theme 'Empowering travel and tourism start-ups and SMMEs through digital transformation'. 'The country will host more than 130 meetings, including 23 ministerial-level meetings across major cities. Over 200 G20-related events are expected, pumping millions into hotels, restaurants and transport services,' said De Lille.
She added that tour guides, guest houses, craft markets, and SMMEs will benefit from the international exposure, with many already showcasing Mpumalanga products at Africa's Travel Indaba.
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De Lille explained that the G20 Tourism Hackathon is a platform on which students use artificial intelligence and digital innovation to reimagine travel.
'I look forward to seeing young minds create prototypes for innovative visitor systems, accessible booking platforms and cultural storytelling apps. Students from TUT and the University of Mpumalanga are proving that you are not waiting for the future – you are building it,' said De Lille.
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She also highlighted Mpumalanga's proactive investment in infrastructure through public-private partnerships, which is already yielding results – from upgrading heritage sites to improving road networks and community lodges.
'The department will continue supporting the tourism sector across all provinces through targeted programmes, including the Green Tourism Incentive programme, which empowers businesses to adopt sustainable practices by providing grants of up to R1m,' De Lille said.
She noted that 23 approved projects are currently active in Mpumalanga – five have been completed, while the remaining 18 are at various stages of finalising agreements.
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The five completed projects include Tshamani Guest House in Mkhuhlu, Timamoon Lodge in Hazyview, and La Kruger Lifestyle Lodge in Marloth Park.
'Since the 2023/24 financial year, 21 small tourism enterprises from Ehlanzeni have been supported under the Market Access Support Programme to participate in various trade shows. All 21 of these enterprises are black-owned, and 10 are woman-owned,' said De Lille.
When Mpumalanga proudly hosts the G20 Tourism Ministers Meeting in September, over 30 ministers from around the world will come here – not just to discuss policy but to experience the province's landscapes, hospitality and cultural riches.
