Our vision is to encourage all members of the community to take advantage of the opportunities which living in this prime tourist destination offers.
Well researched and beautifully illustrated learning materials produced by the Tourism Education Trust have been sponsored in over 20 Midlands schools. We hold regular workshops aimed at providing educators with the means and confidence to use this resource and to include tourism into the curriculum. Educators are shown how, by using their imagination and a little effort, they can use free resources, such as out of date guides and magazines to prepare creative lessons.
Workshop topics cover the economic importance of tourism, modes of travel (including roads and road etiquette), craft development, environmental issues and cultural differences. Educators also have the opportunity to be “tourists for the day” and have explored the Howick Falls area, visited a number of Midlands Meander outlets, spent a day at the Kamberg Rock Art Centre and enjoyed a boating trip on Midmar Dam.
Educator workshops are followed by school visits to provide class lessons with a tourism focus and to assess the progress educators have made in incorporating these materials into their lesson plans. A popular theme is Spatial Orientation which helps learners understand where they fit into the planet, continent, country or province and relate this to tourism.
Last year, special focus was given to the Grade 10,11 and 12 learners who are studying Tourism as a matric subject in Mpophomeni Township. Using an entertaining story about Mrs Bhengu, who decided to open a B&B after her children had all left home, learners were introduced to various topics including budgeting, catering, customer relations and marketing.
The Midlands Meander Association sincerely hopes that amongst the graduates there are future members in the making.
Last modified: 26 December 2009
