The inaugural Ngwathe Tourism Expo will officially launch Tourism Month in the municipal area. Held at Parys Airfield, off the R59, the theme is Celebrating Heritage, Showcasing Opportunity, Growing Tourism.

The expo on Friday, 4 September, will be hosted by the Edgar Legoale Foundation. The Free State MEC for finance, economic development and tourism, Ketso Makume, is expected to attend the expo, alongside other key stakeholders and local leaders.

The event forms part of the broader Ngwathe Experience programme, which aims to connect tourism, business, culture, heritage, entertainment and local economic development while positioning Ngwathe as a destination visitors intentionally choose to experience.

The expo will feature tourism exhibitions and destination showcases, business networking, a tourism panel discussion, arts and cultural performances, food and lifestyle experiences, local SMMEs, a craft market and live entertainment.

“The expo is really going to set the tone for the programme that we have for the whole month of September just to celebrate Tourism Month,” said Edgar Legoale Foundation manager Nthabiseng Molejane.

“Local businesses and entrepreneurs would benefit through greater visibility, market access and opportunities to establish partnerships with other businesses, government stakeholders and tourism players.

“Tourism has a multiplier effect because visitors spend money across several sectors, including accommodation, food, transport, entertainment and attractions. We really want local businesses to be positioned to benefit from this movement.”

The foundation is also calling on businesses, tourism establishments, SMMEs, entrepreneurs, artisans and creatives to register as exhibitors and use the platform to showcase their products and services.

The foundation believes the programme can contribute to job creation, investment, entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism development by ensuring economic benefits reach local communities and businesses.

The Ngwathe Experience will also include a business breakfast on Thursday, 17 September, a golf experience on Sunday, 20 September and the Ngwathe Spring Experience Music Festival on Saturday, 26 September.

The Ngwathe Experience have other events lined up for the rest of Tourism Month. Photo: Facebook/Ngwathe Experience

“These aren’t unrelated events, but they speak to different audiences and contribute towards one destination story,” Molejane said.

The foundation said the event is intended to lay the groundwork for a more inclusive tourism economy, in which heritage, local businesses, and communities can benefit from increased visitor activity and investment.

OFM News/Zenande Mpame sm

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