JOBURG WANTS ITS OWN EIFFEL TOWER

The City of Johannesburg has big plans to lure tourists. As part of its new Integrated Development Plans (IDP), the city has suggested several mega tourism projects.

Across South Africa, municipalities are required to produce an IDP showcasing its goals and objectives for economic and social development. These goals and objectives are categorised according to short, medium and long-term projects.

“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 (Joburg) to develop and package attractions beyond Soweto and the Apartheid Museum.”

The city aims to investigate and develop new tourist attractions in large open areas found in the south, or west of the city. The inner city is also earmarked for new tourist attractions.

Technology is also on the city’s list of priorities in an effort to boost some of its poorest areas.

“Megaprojects such as Lanseria, the redevelopment of Alex and the development of economic nodes in the south-west of Soweto, and in the Deep South could be used to pilot and experiment with smart technologies. This could include the deployment of 5G, as well as other technologies, and the creation of further digital hubs/special economic zones in these areas.”

The city is hopeful that an influx of tourists will be a great boost for the local economy and help small businesses flourish.

Image credit: Life From A Bag