TOURISM THAT SUSTAINS US
Sustainable tourism is more than a buzzword, says JP Prinsloo, chairperson of the uMngeni Howick Community Tourism Organisation.
“In a country such as South Africa, sustainable tourism shouldn’t be something that’s thrown around as a greenwashing public relations exercise. Sustainable tourism needs to be the central ethos of everyone in the industry,” he adds.
At the core of uMngeni Tourism’s strategic focus is developing and promoting eco-tourism in the Midlands.
Earlier this year the organisation partnered with Sappi to conduct a study aimed at analysing the economic impact of the nature-based tourism businesses in the uMngeni Municipality and adjoining areas.
The findings showed that the total economic impact of this sector is R151 million, and results in about 3 009 jobs being created annually.
As part of its commitment to conservation and responsible and ethical tourism, the organisation hosted the first Light Up uMngeni festive fair at the Nelson Mandela Capture Site, just outside of Howick, on December 17 and 18.
“Through collaboration with uMngeni Tourism members, local businesses, NPOs, NGOs and the uMngeni Municipality, the idea was to host a festival that’s created by locals, for everyone,” Prinsloo said.
“Although this festival aimed to attract visitors and tourists, at the heart of it was promoting responsible and ethical travel. The association wanted festival-goers to be mindful of tourism that considers the integrity of ecosystems and the local population.
“The Midlands should be the reason tourists come to KwaZulu-Natal, not only for the natural beauty and cultural heritage, but because there is such a focus on nature-based activities, conservation, and responsible tourism.
“Nature-based activities such as KZN Trail Running (KZNTR), Karkloof Canopy Tours and Lions River Rafting are iconic in the Midlands and form the backbone of naturebased tourism in the area.”
This year’s festive fair was a follow up to the Light Up the Falls event, which drew around 4 000 people to the Howick Falls precinct last year.
Over two days, festival-goers got to witness the diversity and talent within uMngeni.
“All of the musicians, performers, food and beverage vendors, food trucks, artists, and crafters came from the Midlands,” Prinsloo said.
“There were also stalls that form part of community upliftment and development projects, including Howick Falls’ crafters and the Lidgetton Crafters Guild. Other local crafters and community-based NPOs and NGOs included the Love Cities Network, Love Howick, Swashbucklerand Waste Me Not Recycling.
“The environmental conservationists who were an integral part of the festival included Karkloof Conservancy, WESSA uMngeni Valley, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, and Team Up To Clean Up Recycling.”
Prinsloo thanked the events’ main sponsors: the Quarry SPAR, Merrivale SPAR, Greendale SPAR, Nottingham Road SPAR, Hilton Build it, Howick Build it, Nottingham Road Build it, The Witness, uMngeni Municipality, and Sappi.
“Light Up uMngeni was a creative way of marrying the goals of ecological conservation and economic development and for tourists and visitors,” said Prinsloo. “It offered an immersive and rich natural, cultural, and historical experience.
“As 2023 looms more exciting things are on the cards for the Midlands and uMngeni Tourism. We have learnt a lot through this entire experience and we would like to thank every member of the public, every business and each volunteer that joined us and supported us on this journey.”
For more information about uMngeni Tourism, go to www.umngenitourism.co.za