Tourism minister Thoko Xasa has called upon provinces to work together when promoting tourism instead of being in competition with each other.
Xasa was addressing guests in Dullstroom this week at the launch of Tourism Month under the theme “We do Tourism”.
She said it was not good for tourism when provinces compete with each other instead of working together.
She said tourism was very important in boosting the economy.
“When you are advertising yourself to tourists, you can’t say to people province has malaria they must come to your province, no. You are now telling those tourists not to visit certain provinces because of this, we don’t need that. We need positive communication, we need to support each other,” said Xasa.
She said the country was experiencing an economic downturn and that tourism strategies and mechanisms were needed to counter this.
“Lets take tourism into the centre-stage. South Africa is the hope of the continent and the world, we need to lead this industry,” she said.
Xasa said the Tourism Month, September would also promote affordable holiday options in all nine provinces.
“It’s vital for our economy to not just focus on bringing in international travellers, but to stimulate domestic tourism too by creating a culture of travel among South Africans,” said Xasa.
She added: “Last year South Africa saw a number of tourists rising by over 12%, creating a healthy profit for the economy of the country. Ten million tourists entered our shores in 2016.”
The department hosted 60 journalists from a number of media houses across the country and they will be in the Mpumalanga province until Sunday.
Xasa said the media is playing a big role in promoting the country.
“We need that positive reporting to bring tourists into the country,” she said.
She also emphasised that tourism in the country was not meant to be marketed only by those trained for it but needed people like street sweepers, petrol attendants, the media and hospitality staff to play a part.
“Start by cleaning that street, greet that person who is not from your area with love, make that person to want to visit again and it is up to everybody to make this country a welcoming country. That I promise can create jobs for many,” she said.
Mpumalanga tourism MEC Skhumbuzo Kholwane called for the revival of tourism in the country.
He said many municipalities excluded tourism in their budget or allocated little funding for it.
“We need diverse tourism attractions, we need to explore more and market those little areas which are jewels of this country,” said Kholwane.
Minister urges provinces to unite to boost tourism
Xasa was addressing guests in Dullstroom this week at the launch of Tourism Month under the theme “We do Tourism”.
She said it was not good for tourism when provinces compete with each other instead of working together.
She said tourism was very important in boosting the economy.
“When you are advertising yourself to tourists, you can’t say to people province has malaria they must come to your province, no. You are now telling those tourists not to visit certain provinces because of this, we don’t need that. We need positive communication, we need to support each other,” said Xasa.
She said the country was experiencing an economic downturn and that tourism strategies and mechanisms were needed to counter this.
“Lets take tourism into the centre-stage. South Africa is the hope of the continent and the world, we need to lead this industry,” she said.
Xasa said the Tourism Month, September would also promote affordable holiday options in all nine provinces.
“It’s vital for our economy to not just focus on bringing in international travellers, but to stimulate domestic tourism too by creating a culture of travel among South Africans,” said Xasa.
She added: “Last year South Africa saw a number of tourists rising by over 12%, creating a healthy profit for the economy of the country. Ten million tourists entered our shores in 2016.”
The department hosted 60 journalists from a number of media houses across the country and they will be in the Mpumalanga province until Sunday.
Xasa said the media is playing a big role in promoting the country.
“We need that positive reporting to bring tourists into the country,” she said.
She also emphasised that tourism in the country was not meant to be marketed only by those trained for it but needed people like street sweepers, petrol attendants, the media and hospitality staff to play a part.
“Start by cleaning that street, greet that person who is not from your area with love, make that person to want to visit again and it is up to everybody to make this country a welcoming country. That I promise can create jobs for many,” she said.
Mpumalanga tourism MEC Skhumbuzo Kholwane called for the revival of tourism in the country.
He said many municipalities excluded tourism in their budget or allocated little funding for it.
“We need diverse tourism attractions, we need to explore more and market those little areas which are jewels of this country,” said Kholwane.
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