EXPERIENCE GAUTENG

Welcome to Gauteng, “Place of Gold” – the economic powerhouse of the Southern African region and home to Africa’s greatest cities.

Gauteng connects the province to the country, the country to the continent and the continent to the world.

Geographically, Gauteng might be the smallest of the nine provinces, but is the economic heart of South Africa. A vibrant mix of energy and diversity, Gauteng is renowned for being South Africa and, indeed, Africa’s economic, financial, business and entertainment epi-centre.

Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA)
GTA is an expert tourism agency of the Gauteng Provincial Government’s Department of Economic Development. It serves as a marketing conduit between tourists on the demand side of the spectrum as well as trade on the supply side.

As a DMO, GTA has a dual mandate of marketing and managing destination Gauteng and its six regions - Tshwane, Johannesburg, Sedibeng, Metsweding, West Rand and Ekurhuleni regions; each offering different range of experiences, to be globally competitive in both business and leisure destination; whether it’s adventure & sporting events, shopping, dining & entertainment, history & heritage, arts & culture, nature & wildlife, spas & retreats, gaming & gambling, etc.

GTA aligns its international marketing to the strategies of our National Tourism Organisation (NTO) SA Tourism by targeting specific overseas and African markets for the purposes of business and leisure tourism and other niche markets such as health/medical as well as sports tourism.

Business Tourism
Tourism has emerged as the dominant tool for economic growth and good niches in business tourism exist for developing and transition economies.

Business tourism is a lucrative, fast-growing segment of the world’s largest industry sector and is also an important contributor to South African economy.

Business tourism is one of GTA’s focal points. It has its own special demands to which only who can guarantee to meet and exceeds expectation with a committed professionalism, will excel.

South Africa is known for its beautiful cities and diverse destinations.

Why should you choose Gauteng as your Meetings venue?
Simple! Gauteng has it all:
Gauteng’s status as business hub is undoubtedly, one of the major reasons for its popularity amongst delegates and is perfectly poised to cater to this market.

Gauteng has over 400 meeting venues offering a fantastic choice to any meeting organiser that will suit different requirements.

Gauteng is home to two of South Africa’s four biggest convention venues, as well as major exhibitions facilities which have secured its ranking as the country’s exhibitions capital.

The meetings industry in the province has a vast array of professional services and resources such as
- translation services
- audiovisual equipment
- easily accessible & high standards.

Accommodation
Gauteng hosts some of the world’s top brands and boutique hotels. For business tourists that wish to retreat to the hushed halls and gentle atmosphere of the less opulent, but equally comfortable, there are options of graded guesthouses, bed & breakfast, (B&B’s), Backpackers, Caravan Parks, Camping, Lodges, Resorts, etc.

Gauteng dominates the economy of the sub-region, offering access to the
- biggest trade
- information technology
- world-class telecommunications
- road & rail network
- sophisticated infrastructure
- excellent public transport facilities
- world-class banking & financial
Institutions
- unrivalled hospitality, etc

Responsible Tourism
GTA recognises that poverty eradication, transforming the tourism industry, and making the tourism economy benefit all South Africans are essential to building a competitive tourism destination. Mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that historically disadvantaged groups benefit and are economically empowered through tourism. Therefore nurturing of Small, Medium, Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) remains a key priority as their growth impacts positively on the provincial economic growth.


Leisure Tourism
The leisure tourism sector is very fragmented, covering a wide and diverse range of products and services. When Gauteng locals are not working hard, they are playing hard. The cosmopolitan melting pot of Gauteng’s offering includes:
- Entertainment, Shopping & Dining
- Casinos
- Theatres
- Jazz clubs
- Bars & Restaurants
- Gay & Lesbian sites
- History & Heritage
- Cradle of Humankind
- Over 60 Museums
- Origins Centre
- Tswaing Crater
- Arts & Culture
- Galleries
- Cultural precincts
- Craft Markets
- Outdoor & Nature-based Activities
- Wildlife & nature reserves
- Rich archaeological Heritage
- Safaris & Boat riding
- Horse-riding
- Hiking & Water-sports
- Bird watching
- Sporting
Excellent, all-round weather with world-class stadiums makes Gauteng a leisure sporting destination. The province has played host to SA Renault Formula 1, Rugby World Cup final, all African Games, Cricket World Cup, Soccerex, etc. Gauteng is not only the host of both the opening & closing matches of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup, but also he practice venue. Gauteng will again be hosting the Confederation Cup Draw 2008.

GTA has a vast bouquet of products and services, which includes:

- Pre/Post tours & incentive packages
- Destination display & promotion
- Media Educational & site inspection
- Opening ceremony sponsorship &
Registration assistance
- Hospitality/Information Desk during
Events
- Visa, Protocol & National Security
- Advisory services (venues, PCO, DMC,
IT, Marketing insights & Research

So take time to peel away perceptions of business outfits and briefcases and discover there is more depth to Gauteng than meets the eye. GTA will provide you with great “insider” information and assist in planning your event.

Facts about Gauteng
Size : 17 000sq km
Population : 8 000 000
Languages : English, Africans, Zulu, SeSotho
Weather : Summer: 5/27◦c Winter: 0/18◦c
Currency : Rand
TAX/VAT: 14% (Refund for foreign tourist at Airports)
Disability : Physically challenged are catered for

Suggested Gauteng Tour Itinerary

Option 1
Pick up at the hotel. Start at MAROPENG CENTRE, the Tumulus, containing display of unique history of humankind.
Make your way to the limekilns, then underground into the depths of the STERKFONTEIN CAVES.
Be transported to the WELWITSCHIA COUNTRY MARKET.
Lunch at the WELWITSCHIA COUNTRY MARKET.
PLUMARI GAME LODGE – enjoy a genuine game drive and real bush experience.
Check in at the PLUMARI GAME LODGE.
Dinner & other entertainment at a massive dome-thatched lapa.


Option 2
Depart hotel & breakfast at Harvard Café (Rand Park Airport).
Board HENLEY AIR HELICOPTER CHARTER at Rand Airport – fly over Ekurhuleni towns en route to Blesbokspruit Wetlands Reserve in Grootvaly, Springs & Marievale Bird sanctuary.
Visit KE-DITSELANA MULTI-CULTURAL VILLAGE & enjoy lunch there.
Experience the KE-DITSELANA MULTI-CULTURAL VILLAGE tour - a cultural village housing 9 of SA’s cultural groups.
Airlifted back to Rand Airport in Germiston.
SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS MUSEUM.
Depart by bus to EAST RAND TRADERS SQUARE.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner at own arrangement.


Option 3
Depart hotel for a Hot Air Balloon Safari including CHAMPAGNE BREAKFAST in Magaliesburg Area.
Experience SOWETO tour – Mandela Museum, Hector Pieterson Museum, Regina Mundi Church.
Lunch at popular Soweto Restaurants: Nambitha, Wandies, Sakhumzi Restaurant.
Visit the APARTHEID MUSEUM.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner & entertainment at BACK O’ THE MOON, GOLF REEF CITY.





Option 4
Depart hotel for the Vaal.
Visit SHARPVILLE MEMORIAL commemorating those who died in the liberation struggle at Sharpville in 1960.
Visit the VAAL TEKNORAMA MUSEUM.
Lunch at the Riviera Hotel.
Beauty & Spa treatment at RIVIERA HOTEL.
River boat cruise with the STONEHAVEN ON THE VAAL.
Return to hotel in Sandton.
Dinner & entertainment at SUITE 16 RESTAURANT.


Option 5
Visit THE CITY OF TSHWANE (Pretoria) – Voortrekker Monument, Marabastad, Kruger House & Union Buildings.
CULLINAN DIAMOND MINE – Underground tour of the Diamond Mine.
Lunch at Cullinan.
Enjoy an afternoon game drive of the KWALATA GAME RANCH a Big Five Ranch.
Return to Hotel.
Dinner at Mandela Square entertainment at BLUES ROOM, Sandton.