Push for small tourism firms

THE ministers of tourism and small business development, Tokozile Xasa and Lindiwe Zulu, met to discuss promoting small tourism enterprises in the wake of the Tourism Indaba.

“Tourism can contribute to economic growth by providing jobs – and help provide a sustainable environment in which small and medium enterprises can thrive,” said Xasa.

“We support the development of small enterprises in our sector through exposure to platforms such as the indaba,” added Xasa.

Efforts in this regard would fall within the mandate of the National Development Plan.

Durban is to host the indaba for the next five years, President Jacob Zuma announced this week when he officially opened the show at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.

The showcase for more than 7000 participants from across Africa contributes more than R200 million to the city’s economy.

ethekwini mayor Zandile Gumede said: “We are humbled the government has recognised our effort to ensure we host a spectacle every time.”

Gumede thanked Xasa, Premier Willies Mchunu and Economic Development MEC Sihle Zikalala for their support.

She said her ultimate goal was to make the indaba a permanent feature of Durban, adding she believed Durban had shown it was Africa’s leading tourism and events destination.