Accommodation, Conferences and Events, Midrand Tourism, Gauteng, South Africa
In keeping with the official national policy that tourism should be government led, business driven and community based - and with Midrand identified as one of the eight tourism nodes in the Johannesburg area - Midrand Tourism (MT) was established under the auspices of the Midrand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) in November 2004.
With full endorsement from the Johannesburg Tourism Company (JTC), the MT operates as a direct link between government and the private sector, leveraging off the work already performed by the JTC, and accessing their resources to assist in attracting business tourism into the Midrand area.
The Association operates with the primary objective of promoting high standards of quality and service within all travel and tourism related sectors of industry in Midrand and its surrounding areas. By utilising the contacts, resources and voice of the Chamber to create opportunity for empowerment, MT seeks to promote the collective interests of its members - and the area in general - to domestic and foreign tourism markets.
Activities of MT include the formulation of guidelines for the maintenance of excellent standards in Midrand's tourism sector, liaison with appropriate tourism bodies, co-operative marketing of the area as a tourism destination, and the establishment of effective communication between its members and all institutions affecting the industry.
Marlene Haig, previous chairperson of MT and General Manager of Bytes Business Park - Conference Centre says that one of the Association's initial drives will be to ensure that business tourists attending any of the numerous conference centres in Midrand actually spend more time in the area. This will be achieved by informing them of the accommodation and entertainment options available. "I would like to see a cohesive approach to the whole conference industry in Midrand where all players in MT co-ordinate services and activities such as accommodation, shuttles and pre- and post conference tours to provide the delegate with a hassle-free experience".
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