The Limpopo Tourism and Parks Board (LTPB) says a record number of visitors from all parts of South Africa visited the province's resorts, lodges and other attractions during the recent festive season.

Accommodation facilities were stretched to their limits, with occupancy rates varying between 65 and 100 percent.

This upward trend was largely due to some very successful marketing initiatives by the board and private sector tourism operators, LTPB General Manager of Marketing, Ms Mmatsatsi Ramawela explained.

"We were delighted with the influx of tourists, which proved to be a continuation of the trend established during the Eclipse 2002 celebrations," Ms Ramawela pointed out.

She said the tourism industry was now preparing itself for an equally busy Easter season.

It was interesting to note that the festive season boom was experienced throughout the entire province, with all regions hosting local and international visitors.

In the Waterberg region, accommodation at Bela Bela's Aventura Warmbaths resort was in particular demand. The board also noted that many visitors converged on the provincial capital of Polokwane, and other parts of the Capricorn region, where the Meropa Entertainment Centre topped the popularity list.

Tourism operators in the Valley of the Olifants reported the arrival of equally impressive numbers of local and international travellers, who were particularly interested in scenic tours, visits to the Sapeko Tea Estate, and trips to the Kruger National Park.

The board also reported that the Soutpansberg region, with its many cultural tourist destinations, attracted a steady stream of visitors. For many tourists, their visits to the fruit and craft stalls of the Venda region were memorable highlights.

"The huge interest in the province in recent years has also been due to the fact that local communities have been very friendly and hospitable; this has made visitors eager to return," Acting LTPB Chief Executive, Charles Maluleke, pointed out.

He was confident that Limpopo's overall tourism statistics for 2003 would again reflect record levels.

It was interesting to note that Limpopo's tollgate traffic rose sharply during December 2003, with 192 000 cars passing through the province's toll plazas. This figure was 9 000 higher than the corresponding total for 2002.