North West promotes tourism through soccer

TOURISM developers in North West intend educating rural communities about the potential economic spin-offs of tourism by using South Africa's most popular sport, soccer, to take the concept into black communities. The North West Parks Board (NWPB), in conjunction with the South African Football Association (SAFA) North West branch, has launched the country's first ever Tourism Cup. NWPB spokeswoman Ida Masipa said the board chose soccer as the "medium" because if its popularity in rural and urban black communities. "it's often difficult to explain why foreigners would enjoy visiting distant places. By using soccer, which is a entertainment public event, we can use analogies to convince people that tourism is important." The initiative forms part of North West's 'Ja a nala o fatlhoge' (visit and get enlightened) campaign for Tourism Month. (African Eye News Service)