Today, at the Tourism Stakeholders Meeting held at leafy Lamunu Hotel, Braamfontein, it was announced that, the Johannesburg Tourism Company, which is the marketing-arm of the city, would be integrated into the COJ as part of solidifying the company and some of its programmes.
The gathering, was amongst others, used to identify and explain that complex transformation.
Recently, Johannesburg was rated as the second most visited and popular City in Africa after Cairo.
And to capitalize on that, various projects have been identified to aggressively market and promote the City locally and internationally, for this financial year projections.
Inner City Renewal Programmes, Joubert Park Development, Park Station, Gautrain, City Deep and Celebratory Park to be erected underneath Nelson Mandela Bridge, amongst others- have been earmarked to stimulate economy in the City.
Soweto Development Zone is also in the pipeline to conscientious Sowetans and other neighbouring communities to benefit as part of developing the Townships. The establishment of Soweto hotel, Toyota and VW dealerships are some of the successful stories about Soweto.
Although no figures were mentioned, it is anticipated close to R10bn has been secured, which could increase as a result of projects implementations.
Asked what’s on the pipeline for other regions, the Inner City Executive Member Lebo Ramoreboli, said the likes of Midrand, Alexandra, Orange Farm, and others are already receiving attention in terms of capacitation and the kind of business models which would best suit them.
“Crime in the City, Soweto and other areas has been a thorny issue which is receiving the attention it deserves,” says Ramoreboli. “We’re liaising with other stakeholders to identify loopholes to decrease crime because if, we do not, investors and the economy would be severely affected.”
Acting CEO at JTC, Phelisa Mangcu boldly said, the City is on the right track in terms of in-and -outbound visitors and investments which are the draw-cards for Johannesburg.
“The kind of partnership we have with our key stakeholder (COJ) and others would help us to compete with other cities globally, and when that happens international businesses gain confidence which would mean more conferences, events, sport and entertainment,” says Manqcu.
“The fact that the City was rated the second popular in Africa means we’re doing something great and we’re not going to take the foot off the pedal anytime soon. We’re happy with the introduction of Convention Bureau which has produced wonders for the company,” she gleefuly boasted.
Immediate projects such as Hop- on-hop -off the Bus and Gautrain have been identified as some of draw cards.
In Alexandra the JTC has identified an Alexandra Youth Programme which deals with hospitality and catering, which has thus far produced more than ten students who are now permanent with leading hotels in Gauteng.
Recently, Mangcu and team just returned from China as part of Trade Workshops, an element of the Joburg 2040 strategy, which defines the type of society Joburg wants to become by 2040.
