MTPA hosts successful tourism safety and route clean-up dialogue

As promised yesterday, we went with a mission to make create an action group, not a talk shop!  I have to say, it was more than that—people are willing to make changes.  The participants for this follow-up meeting     included MTPA, KLCBT, SANParks, Sabi Sands Reserve, SAPS,      Mpumalanga Provincial Traffic, KMIA, SAVRALA, Bushbuckridge Local Tourism Organisation and the Municipality, Various Taxi Associations and a delegation to represent all the Traditional Leaders.

The highlight of the day was a very active panel discussion addressing big ticket items concerning cleaning in particular but also touching on awareness campaigns about the importance of tourism and safety.

Summary of the Way Forward:

Involving tourism students in schools in cleaning campaigns with prizes and competitions attached to the initiatives

Educational video material to provide education to taxi drivers, and to use at congregations hosted by the Traditional Leaders

Branded bins in all public transport with skips at taxi ranks and             everywhere in villages

Create a mascot for cleaning with a campaign (on beverage cans)

Create parks to replace illegal dumping sites, playground for youth

Educational stickers in taxis to educate passengers about littering

Explore ways to communicate safety tips to visitors before they arrive in South Africa—QR codes on all reservation confirmations, with a video

Roll out village hubs to offer tourist activities to villages, with SANParks