Limpopo spends R76m on 2010 airport upgrades

The Limpopo Department of Roads and Transport will spend R76 million upgrading airport facilities ahead of the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup.

The money will be used to improve the Giyani and Thohoyandou airports, as well as upgrading the Polokwane international airport.

"We still have to do some work on improving conditions at the Giyani and Thohoyandou airports since these areas are going to be used to host some of the clubs for soccer practice sessions," said departmental MEC Justice Piitso.

Presenting his department's budget on Thursday, the MEC said a further study was underway to investigate the possibility of turning Thohoyandou airport into an aviation academy.

Further to this, work is in progress to turn the Polokwane international airport into a state-of-the-art facility and logistical hub for both cargo and passenger transport.

In 2006, the department spent R13 million to improve navigational aid and R10 million on the construction of part of the terminal building.

"This year we have set aside R28 million for the completion of the terminal building, R31 million for the construction of infrastructure at the cargo hub and R17 million for the development of the Aero City," added Mr Piitso.

The Aero City will include parking for cars, buses, taxis and rental cars, feeder roads and ring roads around the terminal building.

It will also include water, sewerage and electrical networks for the terminal building area, passenger walkways and a wash bay and offices for car rental companies.

"We have also successfully rationalised the three former airport boards.

"We now have one board for Gateway Airport Limited (GAAL) charged with the responsibility of overseeing the turn-around of our airports and we believe that this will bring about efficient and effective management of these important institutions," Mr Piitso said.

Earlier this month, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique signed agreements to share the tourism spin-offs of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, through "border free" tourism packages.

The Limpopo Tourism Parks Board, Zambia National Tourists Board, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Mozambique signed the agreement at the Tourism Indaba in Durban.

Together, the parties are called the Limpopo - Zambezi Destination.

The cooperation is premised in the view of the 2010 FIFA World Cup as an opportunity to position the region as a tourist destination of choice for World Cup visitors.

The Limpopo - Zambezi Destination will, following the agreement, undertake tourism research, collect data and statistics to help them gain better understanding of the profile of the present travellers and the needs of future market sectors.

Some of the undertaking that would take place includes the branding for Limpopo - Zambezi Destination, and joint marketing strategies in support of the package tours.

Also high on the agenda, was the easing of border formalities to ensure that the passage of travellers through border posts is swift and trouble free.

The Limpopo - Zambezi Destination will also analyse the current range of tourism products with the aim to refresh and upgrade to meet changes in visitor demand.