Chamber toasts local business

The immense value of tourism to the economy of the Ilembe district was greatly impressed on guests at the Ilembe Chamber’s Business Gala dinner on May 10 at Fairmont Zimbali Resort.

Deputy minister of tourism, Tokozile Xasa, shared the department’s strategies for unlocking local economic benefits though tourism and congratulated the Chamber on their progress in this regard.

“Tourism is recognised worldwide as a key driver of economic growth and job creation. The growth in the tourism sector has been steady, silently churning in the background while the rest of the economy has been volatile.

“There is no surprise that it is one of the six key growth sectors in the New Growth Path, and its contribution to the GDP which measures 3.9 per cent more than most labour-intensive sectors. Tourism in South Africa contributed R357 billion (direct and indirect) to our GDP in 2014, and supported 9.9% of total employment”, she said.

Xasa said tourism had become a valuable treasure chest for the country, filled with precious gems and opportunities.

“And right now, the opportunities in tourism are probably greater than ever before. The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates that, by 2025, tourism will contribute about R561 (direct and indirect) billion to our GDP and will support over two million jobs,” she said.

Ilembe Chamber CEO, Cobus Oelofse said as a chamber it was their aim to engage with, and be representative of all businesses in all communities throughout the district – “and to address the real issues that will allow business to thrive. With the latest unemployment data in the country indicating that as many as 8.9 million people are unemployed, business share, with its social partners, a desperate need to reignite inclusive economic growth and create jobs,” he said.

Oelofse thanked the Chamber’s sponsors and members for helping them build the strength and reach of the Chamber to do just this.

“If economic stakeholders, and specifically stakeholders in the economy of KZN and iLembe don’t have trust in among ourselves, we would not be able to convey trust to investors. To quote a phrase, it is mutual trust, even more than mutual interest, that holds human associations together.”

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