The Amathole District Municipality is set to officially open the Mthontsi Lodge and Conference Centre in KwaMaqoma on Thursday in partnership with the Department of Tourism and the Raymond Mhlaba Local Municipality.
The municipality said the R31 million tourism project was funded through the Expanded Public Works Programme and implemented by the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
The development includes 13 chalets, backpacker accommodation, a renovated conference hall, a restaurant, staff quarters and other facilities that can accommodate up to 52 guests.
According to the municipality, the project created 28 jobs during construction and now provides 13 permanent jobs. It said the lodge was developed to promote rural tourism, create employment and support local economic development.
The municipality added that the launch would also include the handover of certificates to trained tourism guides from across the district and equipment to homestay owners in the Raymond Mhlaba area.
