City of Johannesburg authorities are looking to develop new iconic ‘mega tourism’ projects, in a move it says will attract more tourists to Johannesburg.
The proposal, included in the city’s new draft Integrated Development Plans (IDP), outlines the municipality's key goals and objectives for economic and social development - and is currently open for public comment.
Beyond Soweto and the Apartheid Museum?
City authorities state much like, “Paris has the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Champs- Elysees; Rio de Janeiro has the Sugar Loaf and the Statue of Jesus; New York has Central Park and Time Square, Giza in Cairo has the Pyramids, etc. There is room for the city to develop and package attractions beyond Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.”
“Mega tourism iconic projects including theme parks should be investigated and developed, especially in large open areas found in the south, or west of the city, and in the Inner City to develop new tourist attractions.”
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It goes on to explain that challenges relating to unemployment, climate change adaptation, urban development, and spatial transformation, all impact on the tourism sector.
As a result, the city is exploring numerous “new development initiatives by National, Provincial and Local government, seeking to further enhance the role of tourism in Johannesburg's economic development”.
Continued revitalisation of the Inner City
Validating the call for these developments, the city also cites that “revitalisation of the Inner City and other CBDs have already contributed to the positive sentiment about working, living, and playing in the Inner City and areas east of the Carlton Centre into Maboneng.
“The development of the NewtownFordsburg-Braamfontein triangle could be given a major boost if the decking of the railways project was given a fresh review which could result in another potential mega project right on the south western edge of the inner city.
“This could boost the development of the digital hub in Braamfontein, provide a new area for the expansion of Wits University, and further strengthen the integration of the NewtownFordsburg-Braamfontein Triangle, and its link with Auckland Park.”
A better vision for the City of Makers and Storytellers?
In an interview with 702, Editor of Johannesburg in Your Pocket city guide, Laurice Taitz believes this is not the way the city should go about attracting more tourists.
Taitz who has been bubbling up authentic and micro experiences in and around Jozi for years, adds that the city does have a number of iconic attractions, “they’re just not easily accessible”.
She warns against stereotyping tourists and what they want when in her experience a holistic strategy should encompass many layers that authentically roll out the red carpet for the people looking to visit your city or attraction. Taitz specifically mentions not enough has been done to entice the African traveller.
“We need a walkable and approachable city, you have to be able to move between attractions easily, and right now we don’t have that and that should be the aspiration we should have," she says.
She believes this issue should be addressed first and foremost before any new developments are built.
Taitz says more can be done to showcase Joburg dynamic energy, which she describes as a city of makers, as detailed through its prolific art culture and places like Victoria Yards , 44 Stanleys.
“You can’t dress up a city with one attraction.”
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