Trader Sarah Mokoena spends her days selling handmade crafts near the town of Hazyview in Mpumalanga, a gateway to the famous Kruger National Park and the province’s Panorama Route.
Mokoena hopes a new initiative launched by the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) will benefit many traders like her operating along these popular tourist routes.
“When more tourists visit an area, the benefits should not stop at hotels and large attractions. Small traders, artists, food vendors and transport operators are also part of the tourism economy. We hope this partnership creates opportunities for visitors to engage with local businesses and support community livelihoods,” she said.
The new partnership between Mpumalanga and Limpopo could create fresh opportunities for small businesses, guesthouses and tour operators as the two provinces join forces to market themselves as a single travel destination.
The campaign, launched under the theme Two Provinces, One Destination, forms part of a broader agreement between the MTPA and the LTA to increase tourist arrivals and strengthen the regional tourism economy.
The campaign presents an opportunity to encourage travellers to spend more time exploring communities beyond the major attractions for local tourism operators.
Nomsa Dlamini, owner of a guesthouse in White River, said increased visitor numbers would provide a welcome boost for accommodation businesses.
“Winter is traditionally one of our busiest periods, but many establishments still face challenges related to rising costs and economic uncertainty. If this campaign succeeds in bringing more visitors into the province and encouraging them to stay longer, it will help businesses like ours improve occupancy rates and create additional employment opportunities for local people,” Dlamini said.
Tour guide Thabo Nkosi from Graskop believes the partnership could help expose visitors to lesser-known destinations.
“Most tourists know the Panorama Route and the Kruger National Park, but there are many community-based tourism experiences that don’t receive enough attention. If the two provinces market themselves as one destination, visitors may be encouraged to explore smaller towns and villages, which would spread tourism income more evenly across the region,” Nkosi said.
MTPA representative Sizile Ndlovu said the collaboration allows both provinces to leverage their strengths.
“Mpumalanga ranks among South Africa’s leading provinces for international tourist arrivals, while Limpopo remains one of the country’s strongest domestic tourism destinations. By working together, we can attract more visitors, increase tourism spending and strengthen the regional tourism economy for the benefit of businesses and communities alike.”
The two agencies have indicated that additional joint tourism initiatives are planned for the 2026/27 financial year. While stakeholders have welcomed the campaign, local businesses say the real measure of success will be whether the partnership delivers increased bookings, higher visitor spending and sustainable economic growth in communities across Mpumalanga and Limpopo.
As the winter travel season gains momentum, many tourism operators will be watching closely to see whether the promise of “Two Provinces, One Destination” translates into tangible benefits for local enterprises.
