Pretoria - With over 200 water bodies, golfing facilities and art deco buildings, the City of Ekurhuleni is well poised to become Gauteng’s tourism destination of choice.
Speaking at a two-day Tourism Conference currently underway at The Lakes Hotel in Benoni, Finance and Economic Development MMC Cllr Doctor Xhakaza said it was time that Ekurhuleni’s tourism potential was released.
Cllr Xhakaza said his department had developed a Tourism Strategy 2016-2021 which will see development of the tourism infrastructure.
In line with the strategy, a sum of R10 million has been allocated for the 2016/17 financial year to create a tourism hub in Khumalo street, Thokoza.
“The development of Khumalo street in Thokoza is part of the broader township revitalisation plan. The objective is to turn the once notorious street into a tourism destination of choice,” said Cllr Xhakaza.
“Amongst key tourism attractions outlined in the Tourism Strategy is the establishment of a visitor information centre at the OR Tambo International Airport,” he explained.
The development of a Convention for a Democratic South Africa (CODESA) Museum is also on the cards, which will give visitors an account of CODESA negotiations.
The CODESA negotiations took place in Kempton Park to pave the way for the democratic regime.
The Germiston area will not be the same when a waterfront facility at Germiston Lake is established.
The facility will boast a food court and a conference centre.
“These interventions are aimed at making Ekurhuleni globally known and to ensure that we strengthen the development of our local products, citizen’s standard of living and also strengthen our local businesses in order to alleviate unemployment and attract tourist in the City,” Cllr Xhakaza said. – SAnews.gov.za
