Tourism added to phase three government/business partnership to drive economic growth and create jobs
Minister Patricia de Lille has welcomed the expansion of the partnership to tourism as a key driver of jobs and economic growth above 3%.
Economic growth above 3% and large-scale job creation are the immediate targets of phase three of the government/business partnership launched by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The new phase expands the focus to tourism as one of the key sectors identified to drive inclusive economic growth, job creation and build confidence. It marks a shift from stabilisation and reform towards accelerating growth, investment and employment.
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Tourism, agriculture and agro-processing, and mining have been selected for their potential to attract investment, earn foreign revenue and create jobs at scale.
The president identified improving air access, modernising visa processing, strengthening destination marketing, enhancing tourist safety and expanding investment in tourism infrastructure as priority interventions. These align closely with the cabinet-endorsed tourism growth partnership plan.
The plan focuses on five priorities: Ease of access, co-ordinated destination marketing, safety and security, tourism product development and job creation.
Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said tourism enters phase three with an established partnership model already in place.
“We are not starting from zero. Through the tourism growth partnership plan, government and the private sector have already agreed on the barriers constraining tourism growth and the interventions required to address them.
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“Operation Vulindlela now gives us an opportunity to bring greater momentum, co-ordination and accountability to this work.”
A project management office and progress dashboard have already been established, and the department will work with the presidency, other departments and the private sector to turn the priorities into measurable outcomes.
According to Statistics South Africa, tourism sustained 954 000 direct jobs in 2024 and contributed 4.9% to GDP, outperforming agriculture, utilities and construction.
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