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The tourism sector in the Free State Province is amongst other provinces in the country performing very well, experiencing large numbers in visitors, boosting the local economy.
The Free State launched the ground-breaking tourist attraction park in June last year, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre in the Golden Gate Highlands National Park, just two weeks after its launch, the centre, aided by its free entrance and school holidays at the time, nearly 9000 people visited the centre to have a dinosaur experience in person.
According to the Minister for Tourism, Ms Patricia de Lille, the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre has welcomed over 80,000 visitors and generated more than R1 million in revenue since opening.
The Free State came in second after KwaZulu-Natal, which received 1.2 million visitors over the festive season. De Lille says tourism in the country continues to improve, even at provincial and local government levels.
The Free State Department of Economic Development and Tourism led by MEC Mr Ketso Makume, has been on an aggressive approach in promoting the province as an attractive tourist destination. The department also partnered with the Free State Department of Basic Education in promotion of the Kgodumodumo Dinosaur Interpretive Centre.
The Department took 74 grade 11 and 12 learners to the centre accompanied by 19 educators during its opening days.
Minister de Lille said tourism in the country remains a critical focus; she said The Tourism Safety Forum, chaired by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu, continues to coordinate public and private sector efforts. During the festive season, 1,500 tourism monitors were deployed nationally, including over 400 supporting the Border Management Authority.
“Tourism Product Development is driving infrastructure investment and diversified experiences. The inaugural 2025 Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit launched eight bankable projects worth approximately R1 billion, with three projects already securing funding. Major investments, including the R2.5 billion Club Med development in KwaZulu-Natal, signal strong investor confidence in the tourism sector.
Consultations on a Short-Term Rental Code of Good Practice are underway, with the first draft to be released for public comment next week,” said Minister Patricia de Lille.
