More than R120 million has been set aside to boost accommodation in Mangaung, Free State as the country prepares for the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.
This was announced by Free State MEC for Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs Neo Masithela Friday at the legislature.
"The funds will be allocated largely for renovation and upgrading of our resorts in an effort to ensure they are more competitive and hospitable," said Mr Masithela.
The other intention, he said, was to make Mangaung accommodation more attractive than other facilities elsewhere in the country.
Mangaung will host some of the games to be played during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup South Africa.
He said as part of the programme, the first phase of the renovation at Philip Sanders Resort would be completed soon.
Six of the chalets are being specially designed for people with disabilities.
The second phase is expected to be completed in September 2008.
"Our target is to ensure that not less than 20 facilities have been graded during the next financial year.
"In conjunction with municipalities, we are developing incentive schemes to encourage the grading of these facilities particularly in the townships," Mr Masithela said.
He further added that the infrastructure plan for the upgrading of the resorts will take into consideration selected elements of the commercialisation strategy as well as other alternative elements.
"This will ensure that a required number of identified resorts are completed by 2009 to accommodate the expected increase in tourists during the year and years to follow," he added.
In addition to this, the MEC said about 20 mentorship partnerships will be established to facilitate skills transfer.
"This coming year we will hold 50 workshops and seminars and train 245 individuals in different disciplines of tourism such as tour guides, quality assessors and hospitability management," said Mr Masithela.
The province, in line with the country's international commitments will be participating in global warming control initiatives through planting more than 30 000 indigenous plants all over the province focusing in the previously disadvantaged areas.-
This was announced by Free State MEC for Tourism, Environmental and Economic Affairs Neo Masithela Friday at the legislature.
"The funds will be allocated largely for renovation and upgrading of our resorts in an effort to ensure they are more competitive and hospitable," said Mr Masithela.
The other intention, he said, was to make Mangaung accommodation more attractive than other facilities elsewhere in the country.
Mangaung will host some of the games to be played during the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup South Africa.
He said as part of the programme, the first phase of the renovation at Philip Sanders Resort would be completed soon.
Six of the chalets are being specially designed for people with disabilities.
The second phase is expected to be completed in September 2008.
"Our target is to ensure that not less than 20 facilities have been graded during the next financial year.
"In conjunction with municipalities, we are developing incentive schemes to encourage the grading of these facilities particularly in the townships," Mr Masithela said.
He further added that the infrastructure plan for the upgrading of the resorts will take into consideration selected elements of the commercialisation strategy as well as other alternative elements.
"This will ensure that a required number of identified resorts are completed by 2009 to accommodate the expected increase in tourists during the year and years to follow," he added.
In addition to this, the MEC said about 20 mentorship partnerships will be established to facilitate skills transfer.
"This coming year we will hold 50 workshops and seminars and train 245 individuals in different disciplines of tourism such as tour guides, quality assessors and hospitability management," said Mr Masithela.
The province, in line with the country's international commitments will be participating in global warming control initiatives through planting more than 30 000 indigenous plants all over the province focusing in the previously disadvantaged areas.-
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