BirdLife South Africa and TRAC are giving tourism in Chrissiesmeer wings

BirdLife South Africa, the largest bird conservation NGO in South Africa, is developing a Tourism and Marketing Plan for the Mpumalanga Lakes District (MLD) in and around the town of Chrissiesmeer. This tourism plan is made possible through funding from TRAC (Trans African Concessions), concessionaire of the N4 Toll Route, who is equally committed to sustainable socio-economic development through responsible tourism.

Residents of Chrissiesmeer identified the need to improve their socio-economic situation using sustainable tourism as the driver. As a stakeholder in the area, BirdLife South Africa agreed to take on the challenge through assisting to develop a tourism plan to guide the resident’s ambitions.

This tourism plan is being developed by Dr Anna Spenceley (STAND cc) and Charmaine Uys (BirdLife South Africa’s Regional Conservation Manager for Mpumalanga and Free State), through a process incorporating site visits, interviews, a participatory planning workshop with key stakeholders and residents, and a weekend indaba. It is further supported with desk-based market research and a review of existing reports and plans.

“From the start, we insisted that this tourism plan is for the benefit of all people in the MLD. The infectious enthusiasm from MLD residents of all ages and backgrounds in response to this tourism plan is overwhelming, as is the willingness of community members to take ownership for the implementation of various aspects of the plan,” says CharmaineUys, who is driving this tourism plan. SfisoKhumalo, the KwaChibikhulu Youth Advisory Centre Leader, also believes that the tourism plan has assisted all members of the community to find a common ground for sustainable development.

The main tourism assets within the MLD are the freshwater lakes and pans, and exceptional birding. With over 320 pans, the MLD has both the highest concentration of inland lakes and wetlands, and the largest natural inland freshwater lake (Lake Chrissie) in South Africa. The Chrissie Pans Important Bird Area (IBA) supports over 220 species of birds. This includes 83 waterbird species, 16 globally and nationally threatened bird species, and 17 endemic or near-endemic bird species (those found nowhere else). These natural assets are complemented by cultural and historical attractions – from quaint and quirky original sandstone buildings dating back 130 years, to battlefields and the Lake Bushmen rock art sites.

Options for development that will encourage sustainable tourism growth include developing a hiking trail between pans and lakes, bird hides, interpretation boards, guidebooks and signage. A book store and coffee shop is opening soon, and there are plans for a cultural craft centre. Human resources development will concentrate on hospitality training, use of internet-based marketing and promotion, guiding and general tourism awareness for residents. Cultural attractions such a cultural dancing and singing will also be main-streamed into the area’s tourism attractions. The existing events calendar (including an annual frog night, wild flower weekend and fishing competitions) will be enriched with new events such as music, food and wildlife festivals.

For information on existing accommodation, tourist facilities and events in Chrissiesmeer, please visit www.chrissiesmeer.co.za.

For information on BirdLife South Africa’s Grasslands Programme, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit: www.birdlife.org.za.