Partnership strengthens Soweto’s tourism sector
16. Jul, 2009
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Collaboration is an art in any relationship, particularly in business. So when two established tourism entities in Soweto – Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers and The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square (formerly Holiday Inn Soweto Freedom Square) – identified the potential to expand their service offering while entrenching Soweto’s positioning as a uniquely South African tourism destination, a new partnership was born.
This partnership, with the support of the Gauteng Tourism Authority, has resulted in the extension of Lebo’s Soweto Bicycle Tours, offered by Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers, from Orlando West and surrounding areas in Soweto to Kliptown, home of The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square. Lebo’s Bicycle Tours are an innovative way of exploring Soweto with local guides who are experienced to take tourists on a physical and emotional journey through one of South Africa’s most famous townships in an engaging, fun way.
From 15 July 2009, the bicycle tours will take off from The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square, Soweto’s first four-star hotel. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our guests experiences such as the bicycle tours that extend beyond the ‘eat and sleep’ arena that is generally synonymous with hotels”, says Ms. Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, general manager of The Soweto Hotel on Freedom Square. “This marks an exciting time in our development since inception in 2007”.
The timing of this launch coincides with the 91st birthday of one of Soweto’s most celebrated former residents, the first democratically elected South African President, Mr. Nelson Mandela, which is on 18th July. “Madiba is indelibly linked to Soweto, and Kliptown in particular, as this is the birthplace of the 1955 Freedom Charter which is honoured by the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication and the Kliptown Museum, both of which are adjacent to hotel”, continues Sangweni-Siddo. “In the spirit of the camaraderie and the ideals of that era, we are continually committed to developing and supporting local business and communities”.
Since it’s inception in 2005, Lebo’s Soweto Bicycle Tours have grown from strength to strength with help from the community and increasing international awareness. “This growing demand has been key in extending these living history tours to other parts of Soweto – to give visitors an opportunity to experience Madiba and Sisulu’s stomping ground. We have also had long-standing associations with Youth NGO’s in the area and rely on the support of the community,” says Mr. Lebo Malepa, owner of Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers. “Being able to explore and develop new opportunities within Soweto is core to our business model and ensures that we remain authentic and truly South African”. All guides are locally sourced and Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers and Bicycle Tours are certified by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA).
“As Gauteng has had a successful dress rehearsal during the hosting of the recent 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, we are eagerly gearing up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The province’s tourism offerings will play a significant role in maximising visitor duration and spend during this momentous event,” comments Mr. Fisokuhle Mbatha, Tourism Development Manager at Gauteng Tourism Authority. “Ensuring that top quality tourism attractions such as this are available and meet all our requirements is a key driver in our Gauteng Tourism Development Strategy”.
My name is Muzi Mohale a full-time travel blogger, your host at Travelwires.com responsible for all editorial on this blog. I blog about the travel and tourism industry in Africa. Apart from blogging about tourism, I also run 
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