Celebrating Tourism Month

Today marks the launch of Tourism Month, which will run for the entire month of September, culminating in World Tourism Day on August 27.

This year the Northern Cape is the host province for all the activities of the Department of Tourism in relation to this fast-growing sector.

Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom says: “We have a great and beautiful country. We have everything going for us. The first target is to at least continue on this growth path in tourism.

Hanekom says the idea is to grow tourist arrivals as well as have more movement within domestic tourism. “It’s so important right now when we are facing difficult financial times that we concentrate on those sectors that have comparative advantage,” he adds.

According to Hanekom, the sector will then look to ensure that places like the country’s world heritage sites become more accessible to local people. “That’s part of what we are trying to achieve.”

Meanwhile, the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry says the travel ban on non-South Africans from Ebola infected countries will negatively affect both tourism and business.

Last week, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi announced that South Africans returning from West African countries would be questioned and tested if necessary.

The chamber's CEO Neren Rau said although the travel ban will affect business with West African countries, caution is imperative.

Source: SABCNews

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