TOURISM NEWS - September is Tourism Month, and it's a great time to celebrate the joy and power of travelling the length and breadth of our beautiful country.
Tourism opens the door to new cultures, people and experiences, allowing us to see the world from a different perspective.
World Tourism Day, observed on 27th September, highlights the sector's immense impact on our societies, environments, and economies.
Coinciding with this commemorative event, South Africa celebrates Tourism Month which is an ideal time to travel as spring creates a warmer and more inviting environment.
Tourism Month is also observed alongside Heritage Month.
This dual celebration provides an opportunity to tell the South African story and highlight our rich history, diverse cultures, and vibrant traditions.
South Africa’s tourism sector is rich in history, natural beauty, and a wealth of indigenous species. From the ancient origins of the Cradle of Humankind, Richtersveld Cultural and Botanical Landscape and the Mapungubwe Heritage Site to the powerful stories of struggle at Robben Island and the Hector Pieterson Memorial, our heritage sites tell a story of resilience and transformation.
Our nation is also a delightful destination du e to its world-class wine routes and iconic wildlife, including the Big Five and the Little Five which are the Elephant Shrew, Antlion, Rhino Beetle, Leopard Tortoise, and Buffalo Weaver.
These attractions lure local and international travellers. Between January and June this year, South Africa welcomed over five million visitors, reflecting a significant increase in both domestic and international travel.
Tourism is a powerful engine for our economy. It constitutes a significant portion of our Gross Domestic Product and boosts local economies by creating vast opportunities for vendors, tour guides, shuttle drivers, guesthouses, and travel agencies.
The sector supports livelihoods and helps uplift our national economy.
It is therefore imperative that we invest in developing this sector and create further opportunities for growth. Programs like the Tourism Monitors Programme target unemployed youth (ages 18-35) with a passion for tourism, providing them with a stipend, training, and practical experience.
This programme has uplifted the lives of over 6000 young people who have benefitted from it since the programme’s inception in 2017 and has significantly improved safety and security at tourist sites.
Government remains committed to empowering people in tourism through training opportunities and financial assistance for black owned enterprises. Projects such as the Tourism Equity Fund and the Tourism Transformation Fund aims to drive transformation, equity and growth in the sector.
Our roadmap for the industry is outlined in the Tourism Sector Masterplan, which aligns with our National Development Plan (NDP) goals and provides strategic interventions to strengthen and sustain the sector.
Further discussions on developing South African Tourism are in progress among members of the G20 Tourism working group. Furthermore, interventions are underway to enrich the travel experience of international delegates and visitors who will attend the G20 summit in November this year.
As we prepare to host nations, all South Africans have a part to play. Let’s take care of our environment and keep our cities clean and free from pollution, litter and environmental harm.
Citizens are also encouraged to explore our beautiful country. South African National Parks Week, from 22 to 26 September, offers free entry to selected national parks.
Our welcoming nature and spirit of Ubuntu is one of our greatest attractions, ensuring visitors keep coming back for more. This month let's continue to celebrate our local attractions, diverse culture, and social fabric, and share our proudly South African stories as we work toward a tourism sector that captures the hearts of nations.
* Andrea Naicker is an Assistant Director at the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS)
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