Swaziland Minister of Tourism boasts of hitting targets

MINISTER of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Macford Sibandze says he has been able to meet some of the targets he set for himself and the ministry in 2009.

Acknowledging that 2009 has been a hectic year for his ministry as they were all out in convincing tourists to visit the country, Sibandze said they had in part achieved some of their goals though there was room for improvement.

“Unlike other ministries the tourism ministry is character driven as it has more to do with the individual (minister) at the helm than any other.

“Those at the helm should be creative and drive the process through various ways of wooing tourists rather than sitting back – hoping they will just unfold.

“This ministry doesn’t have running programmes or things that are known to place ministers or those at helm in the forefront.

“That’s why one has to engage in some creativity to get things moving and achieve something,” Minister Sibandze said.

He said they had engaged in various ways last year in trying to woo tourists over as well as locals to visit places of interest in the Kingdom and had been successful.

The tourism minister said even the ‘Visit Swaziland’ campaign had yielded the desired fruits.

“Various activities that we engaged in were aimed at getting the people identify themselves with the concepts such as; Hloba Swaziland, Vunula and others. More of such are coming in 2010.”

The tourism and environmental affairs minister said the village where traditional meals were served to the public during the incwala ceremony was a successful venture that left a majority impressed and commentators had said it was an innovative concept.

Source: Swazi Observer (http://www.observer.org.sz/index.php?news=10283)

Night races on track together with Piggs Peak Casino in Swaziland

“The atmosphere at night races is electric and provides a completely different experience to day-time events, says Wendy Graaf, Group Marketing Manager of Piggs Peak Casino. “It’s a great opportunity for the public to be part of this different format of horse racing.”

The night racing format provides an opportunity for more people to be part of the excitement after hours. Supporters will be able to unwind at the bar with a cocktail before venturing out into the summer night to root for their favourite horses at South Africa’s top race courses. With lights illuminating the race track, the thunder of hooves and the buzz of the crowd, night races capture all the adrenalin and excitement of this popular sport.

Piggs Peak Casino, home of All Africa Poker, will also be holding Gambling Board approved educational poker evenings at the various race tracks, where patrons can learn the basics of Texas Hold-em poker from poker tutors in between trying their luck on the horses at the tote.

“There are many similarities between horse racing and poker, including the terminology used, and supporters will be able to draw parallels between the two forms of entertainment at their leisure,” says Graaf.

She says sponsoring night racing was a natural progression for Piggs Peak Casino. “We’re a gaming entertainment company, and we’d like to educate more people about how to have fun while enjoying gambling responsibly, be it horse racing or poker, and this is a great way for new and experienced players to take part. We are very proud of the partnership we have formed with Phumelela and Gold Circle and we hope that the punters will enjoy the synergies of our relationship.” Graaf says.

The first night race at Greyville, Durban will kick-start 2010 on 1 January, followed by the next race at Turffontein in Johannesburg on 12 January. A full schedule of the sponsored night races can be found at www.allafricapoker.com

Source: PR-USA (http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=311205&Itemid=30)