The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) has acknowledged the negative impact that unmaintained infrastructure has on tourism along the province’s popular Panorama Route, asserting that it will intensify efforts to conduct repairs despite “budgetary constraints”.
The provincial agency manages 13 reserves across Mpumalanga, including the Blyde River Canyon Nature Reserve, home to Panorama Route attractions such as the Bourke’s Luck Potholes, the Three Rondawels and God’s Window. In 2024/25, a budget of R512 million (US$28.7 million) was allocated to the MTPA while a further R500 million (US$28 million) has been earmarked for 2025/26.
On July 15, media were taken on a tour of MTPA-managed sites by the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism Special Attaché Oupa Pilane – also Co-Owner of the Graskop Gorge Lift Company. The visit sought to bring attention to neglected infrastructure along the route.
“The group found the attractions, including iconic sites vital to the province’s tourism appeal, in a deplorable and neglected state, highlighting significant mismanagement by the MTPA. We cannot rely on the MTPA in its present form to drive the growth and sustainability of Mpumalanga’s tourism sector,” Pilane said.
A detailed report has been compiled for presentation to the province’s newly appointed MEC for Economic Development and Tourism, Jesta Sidell, added Pilane.
“The report will outline the urgent need for intervention to restore these attractions to their full potential and enhance Mpumalanga’s standing as a premier tourism destination.”
Pilane also called for the reinstatement of the Tourism Think Tank – a public-private sector collaboration dismantled by the MTPA.
“The Tourism Think Tank, once reinstated, will focus on innovative strategies to restore and promote Mpumalanga’s natural and cultural assets, ensuring they contribute meaningfully to the province’s economy and global reputation.”
Addressing challenges
Simphiwe Shungube, the MTPA’s Senior Manager for Corporate Communications, said the agency is actively working to address the challenges despite a “limited budget for the upkeep of facilities”.
He said: “The MTPA is immediately focusing on fixing some of those amenities to return to their normal functionality and appearance while planning to increase the capacity of the existing capital assets in the medium term.” He also called for greater collaboration with industry stakeholders.
“Given the magnitude of the work required in restoring some of these sites, the entity is open to meaningful collaborations to ensure a pleasant tourism experience.”
Shungube denied accusations that MTPA’s annual budget is being misspent.
“The MTPA consistently allocates and spends its available budget as planned to maintain infrastructure and support other essential activities.
“Overall, we acknowledge the concerns raised by tourism industry stakeholders and the negative impact this has on visitor numbers,” he said.
Focus on ‘game changer’ tourism projects
Delivering her maiden budget speech on July 22, Sidell said her department will focus on realising “game changer” tourism projects in partnership with the private sector. The department has advertised feasibility study bids for the development of a cable car at Mariepskop (the highest point of the Blyde River Canyon) and a water park in Hazyview, close to the Kruger National Park.
“The introduction of these high-impact tourism products to the existing tourism product offerings will surely increase tourists’ length of stay and tourism spend,” said Sidell.
The department, through the MTPA, is aiming to outsource most hospitality tourism facilities in provincial nature reserves, she added.
“Since these facilities have been in the market for a while, the MTPA has adopted a targeted marketing strategy by approaching prominent players in the tourism industry to invest in these business opportunities.”
Despite a 15.6% year-on-year increase in international tourist arrivals to 2.1 million in 2024, visitor spend remains “low due to limited or outdated tourism product offerings”, according to Sidell.
