Tourism boost on cards for Bay
Metro is expected to reap major benefits from Marine and Coastal Tourism Implementation Plan
TOURISM, the second-biggest contributor to Nelson Mandela Bay’s regional economy, is set for a major boost in the next five years and beyond.
This follows the cabinet’s approval of an extensive Marine and Coastal Tourism Implementation Plan.
The Department of Tourism’s plan is to ensure massive growth in the marine and coastal sector.
And Nelson Mandela Bay – which will be paired with East London in its nodal approach to developing six coastal areas around the country within the next five years – is expected to benefit significantly.
The nodes are Durban and surrounds; the Umkhanyakude District surrounds in KwaZulu-Natal; Port St Johns to Coffee Bay in the Eastern Cape; East London, Port Elizabeth and surrounds; Cape Town and surrounds and the West Coast and surrounds in the Northern Cape.
According to the department, initiatives in all of the nodes will cover six thematic areas.
These include marketing, events and routes; regulations and permitting; research and spatial planning; beach precinct development; tourism infrastructure and tourism safety; maritime tourism and skills development.
Tourism Minister Tokozile Xasa welcomed the cabinet’s approval, saying it also advanced the objectives of Operation Phakisa’s Oceans Economy and that the plan had been developed in partnership with various tourism stakeholders.
“The vision is to grow a world-class and sustainable coastal and marine tourism destination that leverages South Africa’s competitive advantage in nature, culture, and heritage,” Xasa said.
The nodal approach will allow the department to prioritise destinations instead of individual tourism projects or products.
Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) chief executive Mandlakazi Skefile said the plan would help the NMBT to “leverage off the natural resources and the beauty our destination has to showcase while enabling us to harness and unlock untapped potential”.
“With Port Elizabeth being included as one of the six nodes, this will further enhance the existing coastal and marine offerings through the implementation of a comprehensive marine tourism and leisure sector strategy,” she said.
“The minister has commented that the coastal and marine tourism sector will contribute about R21.4-billion to the GDP and create about 116 000 direct jobs by 2026, thus reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment, while contributing to sustainable livelihoods and development.
“These estimates are conservative as they are growing off a low 2015 base of R11.9-billion direct contribution to GDP and 64 400 direct jobs.”
Skefile said that while the NMBT could not establish yet how many jobs would be created locally, “we know the implementation plan will positively contribute to our area.
“Already, we are one of the most researched bays due to our diverse marine biodiversity as well as Nelson Mandela University being one of only three offering a maritime curriculum,” she said.
“[The metro] is also home to a world-renowned Hope Spot, known as the bottlenose dolphin capital of the world, and has the largest colony of endangered African penguins.
“It already boasts blue flag beaches, ocean safaris and unique biomes, to name a few.
“Recently being host city to the African Marine Waste Conference, the Southern African Marine Science Symposium and the South African Maritime Industry conference, the city is already seeing increased business and positive results.”