By Maleruo Leponesa
Makana Tourism was present at the recent World Trade Market Africa trade show in Cape Town, because it has a strong commitment to promoting the region and building valuable industry relationships, said Makana Tourism Acting Director, Prudence Mini.
“Makana Tourism’s participation was made possible through the invaluable support of the Sarah Baartman District Municipality (SBDM). SBDM continues to play a pivotal role in ensuring that Makana Tourism and other local tourism offices within the district can take part in key platforms that drive growth, visibility, and partnerships in the tourism sector.” She acknowledged the support of Pumeza Tanga, Tourism Manager at SBDM, and Duma Magxwalisa, head of the LED Unit
This global platform provides a vital space for destinations to share their stories, build partnerships, drive tourism growth that is inclusive, sustainable, and impactful. This year, a key theme was the power of collaboration. Amid ongoing funding challenges, tourism practitioners and marketers are being urged to find others with shared values and join forces for greater collective impact. For Makana Tourism, this approach aligns perfectly with its vision, Mini said.
Mini said at the trade show Makana was promoted as a fresh, culturally-rich destination. Tourism investment is important for long -term economic and social development. A standout offering from the Makana experience is the authentic township tour which immerses visitors in the rich heritage of local communities, the resilience of their people, and the powerful stories that have shaped the region. These experiences are not only eye-opening for visitors, but they’re also deeply rooted in the community empowerment, ensuring that tourism directly benefits local residents.
The other local person who attended the show was Otto Ntshebe, a registered member of Makana Tourism who is an oral historian and homestay expert. His business philosophy is to spread the benefits of tourism by using local homestays, organising for local performers to participate and “thus attracting development to the community”.
