In response to the devastating effects of Covid-19, Patricia de Lille, the Minister of Tourism, has emphasised the necessity of putting existing recovery plans into action to expand the sector and the economy as a whole.

“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 tourist 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 e-visas and improving air access,” De Lille said when addressing Africa’s Travel Indaba on Monday in Durban.

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 adds.

E-visa

De Lille welcomed the rollout 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.

The minister said she will be working closely with the Home Affairs Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, on fast-tracking the applications and approval processes.

De Lille also acknowledged 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 epartment of transport investigating and conducting a legal assessment of the possibility of implementing a moratorium or amnesty on law enforcement,” she said.

Investing in infrastructure

De Lille said she is a firm believer in the government investing in infrastructure development to create an environment conducive to investment by the private sector.

“I have started working with Infrastructure South Africa 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.

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. – SAnews.gov.za