APPROVED IDP DOC 2011-16.BA PHALABORWA.pdf

present an opportunity for diversification into tourism. Tourism is the economic sector with the
most potential for development in the Municipality as a result of the Municipality’s ideal location
and climate.
The Mopani Local Economic Development Strategy indicates the following with regard to
Tourism in Ba-Phalaborwa:
The Municipality has high business tourism flows – especially linked to commerce, industry
and the mines.
Leisure traffic stops briefly in and around the town usually en route to and from the Kruger
National Park (KNP).
There is a limited amount of traffic that stays outside the Park to make day visits into the
Park.
Similarly, very few KNP visitors spend a night in Phalaborwa before or after their visits to the
Park.
Stay-over leisure traffic is growing as far as the golf estate is concerned.
Tourism operators believe that the opportunity to travel to the Mozambican coast via Ba-
Phalaborwa represents a significant tourism advantage. Archeological sites and the history of the
arrival of the Malatji clan are also believed to hold tourism potential. The area has a particularly
pleasant winter climate. The concept of converting former mine hostels into educational facilities or
youth academies is another possibility. The fact that the local labour force comprises a high
proportion of single persons reflects a need for leisure facilities that are not sufficiently available.
The Ba-Phalaborwa Tourism Development Strategy as compiled by Grant Thornton in February 2006
recommends, in order of priority, the following market:
Domestic general leisure tourists
Foreign general leisure tourists
Domestic transit tourists
Foreign transit tourists
The Grant Thornton strategy recommends that the following tourism products be explored,
developed and marketed:
Phalaborwa as a base for exploring KNP;
Phalaborwa as a base to explore Greater Limpopo Trans-frontier Park (GLTP);
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