The state of infrastructure along Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route has been laid bare in a 37-page report compiled by private-sector tourism stakeholders after a visit to several key government-managed tourist attractions earlier this month.
The report – from Graskop Gorge Lift Company Co-Founder Oupa Pilane and Misty Mountain Owner Lisa Sheard – focuses on four sites managed by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA): Pinnacle Rock, God’s Window, Bourke’s Luck Potholes and Three Rondavels.
Using an adapted version of UN Tourism’s definition of “world-class” tourist attractions, the assessment covers criteria such as accessibility, cleanliness, general maintenance, health and safety compliance, staffing, tourist information, value-adds and community opportunities.
Pilane and Sheard found the various criteria at all four sites to be between “substandard” and “unacceptably poor”.
The report states: “The prolonged neglect of maintenance and lack of investment in these four Panorama Route sites represents a significant and extended period of missed opportunity for economic growth, tourism growth and job creation in Mpumalanga.”
The report, the first in a series to be released in the coming weeks, will be presented to Mpumalanga MEC for Economic Development and Tourism Jesta Sidell with the ultimate aim to develop a regeneration plan for the Panorama Route.
“The rot has gone too deep so there is no way that the MTPA can turn this around by themselves. We need a long-term plan for these sites to be rescued and placed under the care of professional tourism attraction managers and responsible custodians,” Pilane told Tourism Update.
Detrimental impact on tourism
Situated close to the Kruger National Park and running along the world’s third-largest canyon, the Blyde River Canyon, the Panorama Route has long been regarded as an attractive add-on to international tourist itineraries. But operators told Tourism Update this allure has started to wane.
“An international tourist comes from a five-star lodge and then arrives at these poorly maintained sites, filled with litter, understaffed and with buildings in a shocking state. It’s a very sad state of affairs,” said Jaco Scheepers, Owner of Hoedspruit-based Sable Tours.
Scheepers said he no longer takes clients to the historical gold mining village of Pilgrim’s Rest – once a thriving tourist site.
“The town is overrun with illegal miners and many of the historical buildings have been stripped of their steel roofing and windows. We can no longer market it as an attractive choice.”
Tom Vorster, Acting Chair of the Maruleng Tourism Association, said he has witnessed a growing number of tour operators removing the Panorama Route from itineraries.
“From a personal perspective, when recommending the Panorama Route to visitors, I often suggest they skip the MTPA sites and head directly to Graskop Gorge, which offers stunning views, engaging attractions and well-maintained facilities,” said Vorster.
The MTPA previously told Tourism Update that infrastructure maintenance has been challenged by budgetary constraints but asserted that the agency was “immediately focusing on fixing some of those amenities to return to their normal functionality and appearance”.
Linda Grimbeek, CEO of the Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism, expressed optimism that the report will lead to tangible improvements.
“While we are very well aware of the limitations of budget and capacity, we simply have to elevate these sites to world-class attractions. We have full confidence that, if we all work together towards a common vision, we will be able to overcome the many stumbling blocks to bring these sites up to a standard that modern travellers seek.”
