The Eastern Cape provincial government is poised to fast-track a number of critical infrastructure development projects along the Wild Coast to unlock the vast tourism potential of this region.
This was confirmed by the Eastern Cape MEC for Finance, Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Mlungisi Mvoko, who said the region remains “a very high priority”.
Government, in partnership with the ECPTA, is implementing a number of infrastructure projects in the region including the upgrade of the N2 in areas like Coffee Bay, Mthatha and Port St Johns to improve access, an R8-million Environmental Centre and Visitor Complex in Nduli Luchaba Nature Reserve, which is being earmarked as a job creation lever, and a R190-million investment into the construction of a new art lodge.
A further R8.6-million has been set aside for the Silaka Nature Reserve, as well as upgrades to hiking trails across the Wild Coast serving communities within areas like Mbizana Ntabankulu, Port St Johns, Nyandeni and KSD among many.
“We are committed to supporting the tourism sector SMMEs in the sector within the province,” Mvoko said. “In addition to all existing measures, we are also preparing to roll out a R19-million provincial fund to be used to run training programmes for the benefit of growing SMMEs struggling with COVID-19 compliance issues.”
Despite the uncertainty the province’s tourism sector has found itself in over the course of 2020, Mvoko said he continued to envision a future where tourists travelling through the Eastern Cape will have a meaningful experience and one that continues to contribute to sustainable economic growth.
Mvoko said government, in partnership with the ECPTA, have been working hard to ensure compliance and to support safe tourism services and offerings throughout the province.
“COVID is the fight of our lives. We need to take responsibility and play our part. The measures put in place today will shape tourism of tomorrow. Let us take the crisis as an opportunity to rethink tourism for the future.”
