Sisulu outlines recovery plan for tourism sector

TOURISM Minister Lindiwe Sisulu says her department has a recovery plan for the sector hit hard by Covid-19.

Sisulu, pictured, detailed these plans during her speech at the African Travel and Tourism Summit. They are aimed at ensuring that the sector plays its crucial role in developing and growing an inclusive economy.

Some of the strategic interventions that she mentioned included implementation of norms and standards for safe operations across the value chain to enable safe travel and to rebuild traveller confidence.

“Stimulate domestic demand through targeted initiatives and campaigns; strengthen the supply side through resource mobilisation and investment facilitation; support for the protection of core tourism infrastructure and assets; execute a global marketing programme to reignite international demand, tourism regional integration and review the tourism policy to provide enhanced support for sector growth and development,” Sisulu said.

She hoped for immediate gains through inter-regional and domestic travel to sustain the sector.

“We are ready to take our fair share of the world tourism organisation estimate that tourism in Africa could more than double to 134 million tourists in 2030, as opposed to 50 million we had in 2010. We are gearing ourselves for that. In our case in South Africa we regard ourselves as a desirable tourism destination, which accounts for a substantial amount of the country’s revenue,” she said.

The address also included Sisulu explaining the department's work in dealing with the UK red list matter.

She said that after some discussion with the British Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, they had agreed to bring together scientists and advisers from both countries to conduct further research into the coronavirus beta variant that has so far created the perception that South Africa is a Covid-19 hot spot.

“They are confusing the variant with South Africa because it was first detected here. But it does not mean it is a South African variant. We have agreed to have a joint team of scientists to advise the South African and British governments so they can get us out of the red and come with the right result,” she said.

However, she has welcomed the announcement that Germany has dropped South Africa as a high-risk country.

“This is great news for South Africans who travel for leisure and business. We are looking forward to welcoming back German tourists to South Africa,” she said.