Kwazulu-Natal – Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has challenged role players in the sector to go all out to push visitor numbers to the country to pre-Covid figures.
“As the sector, you know best what the issues are, and how we can grow tourism and jobs in this sector.
“My priority is clear: let’s get to over 21 million tourists arrivals before 2030. Let’s speak with one clear voice. Let’s have one clear message on destination marketing. Let’s make South Africa safer for tourists and let’s get to truly opening our country for visitors with the e-visas and improving air access,” De Lille said while addressing Africa’s Travel Indaba on Monday in Durban.
Africa’s Travel Indaba (ATI) 2023 kicked off at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre on Monday. It is expected to run until Thursday.
De Lille said east Africa has already surpassed pre-Covid visitor numbers, and that South Africa needs to get there too.
“We need to increase the volume and value of domestic and international tourism through the Tourism Recovery Plan, so we are expediting the conversion of the Tourism Sector Recovery Plan as the basis for the Tourism Sector Master Plan.
“The Master Plan needs to focus on what the needs of the world are, and what role the South African government needs to play holistically in driving tourism forward,” she said.
Africa’s #TravelIndaba23 trade floor opens today! The official opening ceremony is in full swing, and we look forward to bringing you all the highlights over the course of the next few days. Stay tuned!#ATI2023 #VisitSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/5xJzcJtm4Q
— Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 (@travel_indaba) May 9, 2023
e-visa
De Lille welcomed the rolling out of e-visa, saying it will contribute to increasing the number of tourists in the country.
At the SA Investment Conference held recently in Sandton, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa is expanding the e-visa system to 20 more countries.
De Lille said she will be working closely with Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, on fast tracking the applications and approval processes.
She also acknowledge the role played by the transport sector in the tourism sector.
“The Department of Transport understands that tourism is an important sector that makes a meaningful contribution to the economy and the South African brand.
“We must work together to resolve the matter of tour operators who have not collected their licences. There is now a backlog of 418 current applications.
“There are a few remaining priorities in this area, such as the Department of Transport investigating and conducting a legal assessment of the possibility of implementing a moratorium/amnesty on law enforcement,” the Minister said.
Investing in infrastructure
De Lille said she is a firm believer in government investing in infrastructure development to create an environment conducive for investment by the private sector.
“I have started working with Infrastructure South Africa (ISA) in this regard and I look forward to working with all of you on actions we can take to grow tourism infrastructure and investment,” De Lille said.
Over 20 African countries are participating in Africa’s Travel Indaba, which is showcasing over 350 tourism products.
#TravelIndaba23 kicked off with BONDay!
Deputy Minister of Tourism announced plans to invest in tourism & rural development, emphasizing the need for effective policies, sustainable tourism & tech deployment to promote a new narrative for African tourism.#VisitSouthAfrica pic.twitter.com/eiCquG5cCf
— Africa’s Travel Indaba 2023 (@travel_indaba) May 9, 2023
This year’s event promises to be a vibrant and diverse representation of Africa’s tourism industry, offering a vast array of unique and exciting offerings that the continent has to offer.
The 2023 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba brings together stakeholders from across the tourism industry ecosystem, from no less than 1 000 buyers, just under 1 000 exhibitors, destination marketing bodies, hotel groups, airlines, tour operators and 10 African tourism boards.
There are already 18 625 confirmed meetings on the online diary system.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is an iconic African leisure trade show, owned by South African Tourism, with the specific objective of creating market access for our vast array of African leisure tourism Products.
Africa’s Travel Indaba is a 3-day trade show preceded by a dedicated Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) which seeks to create a platform for thought leadership, knowledge sharing, and obtaining the latest in global trends and local insights.
The BONDay programme is developed in close collaboration with global tourism organisations, continental experts as well as industry associations.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
