Mbombela - A tourism information centre has been officially opened in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, to draw tourists to this sprawling peri-urban area.
Travellers have to pass through Bushbuckridge on their way to famous attractions such as the Kruger National Park and the Manyeleti and Timbavati Game Reserves, however, few of them stop in this area, where roadsides are lined with funeral homes, spaza shops, humble homesteads and the occasional wandering cow or goat.
"This information centre will certainly boost our tourism fraternity," said Ehlanzeni District Mayor Khosi Mkhonto.
"It will afford visitors access to information from any one of the five local municipalities in the district. They will also have tourism choices that have never been marketed before because local tourism outfits couldn't afford to promote themselves."
Mkhonto said these included the Inyaka Dam and the Shangane Cultural Village, where tourists could learn more about culture and traditions indigenous to the area.
The centre is located at the Bushbuckridge shopping complex, which offers easy access along a well-travelled route.
It also includes a small, medium and micro enterprises trading centre, where local crafters registered on the municipality's database can leave examples of their wares. If tourists are interested in any of these products, tour guides will take them on a shopping trip to various stalls in the area.
Tourists can also make bookings at the centre and use the internet caf,.
Mkhonto further encouraged domestic travel among local communities. "By being a traveller in your own country - either in the province, district or local municipality - you are contributing towards the tourism industry, and you will learn what it means to be a welcoming host," she said.
