In response to mounting pressure from tourism stakeholders, Mpumalanga’s government has agreed to establish a ring-fenced funding mechanism and a public-private sector “Tourism Think Tank” to resolve issues at popular attractions along the province’s Panorama Route.
The interventions come on the back of a 37-page report – compiled by tourism business owners Oupa Pilane and Lisa Sheard – highlighting dilapidated infrastructure at several key attractions managed by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA).
The province’s newly appointed MEC for Economic Development, Jesta Sidell, met with the MTPA and the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism (KLCBT) on Monday (August 11) to explore collaborative solutions to the issue.
Sidell resolved to channel all income generated by Panorama Route sites – including God’s Window, Pinnacle Rock, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and the Three Rondavels – into a ring-fenced infrastructure maintenance fund.
A further commitment was made to revive the Tourism Think Tank – a vehicle for strategic collaboration between government and the tourism sector.
“The Think Tank will engage on strategies to enhance the quality of the existing tourism offerings and explore opportunities to develop new tourism experiences while marketing the province,” said Sidell.
Pilane, Co-Owner of the Graskop Gorge Lift Company and a Special Attaché for the KLCBT, described the discussions as a pivotal turning point in restoring the Panorama Route.
“It’s time we suspend all the nice-to-haves and focus on fixing our tourism,” said Pilane. “Ring-fencing site income ensures that funds are used where they’re needed most – restoring these iconic attractions to their full potential.”
A vision for the Tourism Think Tank
Pilane said government’s current “centralised, bureaucratic and often reactive” approach to tourism management falls short of what is needed to maintain Mpumalanga’s competitiveness.
“A Tourism Think Tank, comprising private-sector experts, community leaders, academics and innovative thinkers, will bring the dynamism and focus required to elevate Mpumalanga’s tourism industry,” he said.
Pilane envisions the independent body as a complement to government efforts, providing strategy and solutions in the critical areas of destination marketing, safety, product development and transformation.
“The province’s marketing efforts are fragmented with limited budgets and outdated strategies that fail to capture the imagination of modern tourists,” said Pilane.
“Crime, real or perceived, deters visitors, particularly in rural areas where many of Mpumalanga’s attractions lie. A Think Tank could collaborate with law enforcement, private security firms and local communities to develop tourist-specific safety protocols such as dedicated patrols along key routes or real-time safety apps for visitors.”
He said Mpumalanga’s natural landscapes and rich cultures hold immense potential for the development of new adventure tourism and cultural tourism products.
The Think Tank could play a critical role in driving the sector’s transformation goals by supporting black-owned tourism businesses, training communal property associations, empowering local guides and creating community-owned facilities, Pilane added.
“For example, community-led lodges or craft markets could become signature attractions, giving visitors authentic experiences while channelling income back into local economies.
“Imagine Mpumalanga with tourists from across the globe flocking to explore not just Kruger but also lesser-known gems like the Sudwala Caves or a cultural village – where local entrepreneurs run thriving tourism businesses, where visitors feel safe and welcomed and where every community benefits from the tourism economy. This vision is within reach but it requires bold action.”
