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Tourism is new gold for Gauteng - Mandla Nkomfe
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Boksburg - It's no secret that South Africa's tourism industry
is a key focus for development in the lead up to the 2010 World Cup, but
at the The Gauteng 2010 Tourism Imbizo, Gauteng Finance and Economic Affairs
MEC Mandla Nkomfe highlighted that it is how we conduct this development
that is vital to the success of the industry.
At the Imbizo, held on Thursday the 4th of December, the Gauteng Tourism
Authority made headway by offering to open up the communication platform
for the tourism industry in order to address the challenges that this
industry is likely to face in Gauteng ahead of the 2010 World Cup.
Addressing various stakeholders, Nkomfe opened his speech by addressing
the importance of a smooth growth process for the industry: 'Tourism is
the new gold and as such we have to make investments into the industry.
Tourism is linked to growing the South African economy because it not
only has the potential to grow our economy but can also eradicate poverty
and increase employment.'
Nkomfe went on to explain that given the opportunities and challenges
of hosting the much-anticipated international football tournament, the
Imbizo was long overdue. 'The Gauteng Provincial Government has always
taken issues of tourism with keen interest. It is through tourism that
we can showcase our province to the world,' he asserted.
Nkomfe also took the Imbizo attendees through the opportunities he believed
the tournament would bring namely, a marked increase in the arrivals of
international visitors into South Africa as well as the widespread media
exposure the country would receive ahead of and during the World Cup.
South African Tourism (SAT) CEO, Moeketsi Mosola concurred with Nkomfe
on the significance of the Imbizo and explained that efforts to best market
South Africa as a destination were high on the SAT's priority list. To
meet this mandate Mosola explained that R250 million has been committed
to building and increasing South Africa's tourist destination profile
in the international media.
Mosola expounded the positive developments that are being made, which
include the allocation and approval of R175 million to assist accommodation
owners in the grading of their establishments. The formation of the 2010
Tourism Forum, a body tasked with advising government on the progress
of 2010 World Cup related issues. Over 160 000 graded rooms are available
to meet the expected visitor demand. He encouraged tour operators to apply
so that they benefit from the arrangements between South African Tourism
and MATCH, the FIFA accredited World Cup management company.
Mosola conceded that a number of challenges still faced the province and
needed to be resolved ahead of the premium soccer event. 'Safety and security
continues to be an issue. We are however doing all we can to ensure that
these challenges are addressed and as such we are communicating and engaging
with the different departments,' the CEO assured.
Overcharging was another challenge and he appealed to all industry players
to play fair and look at the bigger picture, urging that 'we should not
overcharge our visitors because 2010 is a billboard for the world to see
South Africa. Let us play fair because we want our visitors to continue
coming back to our country.'
In conclusion, Mosola expressed optimism that the tourism industry would
come together and work as a team, 'our flag, people and pride in our country
are more important than working as individuals.'
GTA's acting CEO, Pule Malefane was impressed by the developments of the
Imbizo. 'It is imperative that we as the authority in tourism, not only
facilitate conversations of this nature but also work hand in hand with
our partners in the tourism industry to provide solutions that best sell
Gauteng as a tourist destination of choice,' he remarked.
Travelwires.com,
08 December 2008
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