By Kopano Dibakwane
The decision to bring the 2023 Metro FM Music Awards (MMA’s) to Mpumalanga is a definite booster for tourism.
This is according to Nompumeleo Hlophe, MEC for finance, economic development and tourism in Mpumalanga. She said that the MMA’s event will not only cater for musicians, but it will equally attract thousands of visitors from across South Africa and neighbouring countries such as Eswatini and Mozambique, to the picturesque, serene and breathtaking province of Mpumalanga.
” Thousands of people will visit our province to attend the music awards ceremony. We are aware that the Metro FM team has already descended to our province since last week, to do some tourism activations in our various townships and they will be here until Sunday 7 May.
” This will boost tourism and subsequently the local economy, as township businesses will also receive a share from the economic activities propelled by the MMA’s, including accommodation bookings. We are also informed that all accommodation establishments in and around Mbombela are already fully booked, owing to the much-anticipated music event of the year,” said Hlophe.
She urged the visitors to stay longer as the province is home of the big-five, God’s Window, Sudwala caves, Graskop gorge, amongst other renowned tourist attractions.
The MEC also urged all business owners in and around Mbombela to strictly adhere to their license conditions, which include operating within stipulated hours and not selling alcohol to children under the age of 18 years.
