“It is against this background that we have gathered here today to launch a full-blown Tourism Month programme with a view to recreate a conducive environment for our goose to continue laying eggs and to grow,” he said. Mkhatshwa was speaking during the official launch of the provincial tourism season at Ndalo Lodge in Mbombela.

He pointed out that the tourism industry in the province and worldwide has been severely affected by Covid-19, and jobs have been lost at an alarming rate.

“Our existential and immediate task is to reposition the sector to recalibrate and operate at full scale, and restore the muchneeded jobs. This year’s theme for Tourism Month is ‘Tourism for inclusive growth’. The recovery of this sector can only be realised if its benefits include the previously disadvantaged communities, our townships and rural communities. We must, however, indicate that the sector is transforming at a snail’s pace, hence the theme touches on the inclusivity of the growth of the industry.

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“It is for this reason why, from a legislative perspective, we will introduce a Tourism Bill which will address some of the lingering transformational aspects in the sector, for the sector to reflect the complete demographics of the province,” stressed Mkhatshwa.

To help resuscitate this limping industry, Mkhatshwa said, “We will undertake a set of activities to foster tourism awareness in local communities across the province, especially within our townships and the less visited tourist destinations and for our people to derive value and economic spin-offs out of these visits.”

He continued by saying that the challenges facing the sector represent a double blow to the previously disadvantaged communities. This is both in the context of job losses as a result of Covid-19, ownership and control of tourism operations and products. Mkhatshwa threw his weight behind the vaccination drive.

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“Tourism is all about travelling and the exploration of the province’s products and biodiversity, however, travelling will not be fully realised if we do not encourage the citizens of Mpumalanga to get vaccinated and behave in a manner which contributes to the fight against the virus. Tourism recovery without the vaccination is unrealistic. We need to encourage the frontline staff in the industry to get the jab,” he concluded.