By: Staff Reporter
There has been a significant increase in the number of foreign travelers and those traveling domestically, Minister of Tourism Lindiwe Sisulu told Parliament on Thursday during her budget vote speech, adding that her department was doing more to include more women and youth in the sector.
South African travelers increased by 173%, while foreign visitors grew by 254%.
Sisulu told Parliament that the recovery was underway adding that her department will grow the sector even further.
“It is this glimmer of hope that strengthens our resolve to do, even more, to plant more seeds that will see tourism growth beyond the 2019 levels.
The Covid-19 crisis has given us time for pause and reflection,” Sisulu added.
She further acknowledged that their engagement with stakeholders helped them in drawing lessons on how they can build a resilient and inclusive sector.
Minister Sisulu alluded to the fact that the Small and Medium Enterprises, (SMMEs) play an integral part in growing an inclusive and sustainable Tourism.
“We have thousands of SMMEs throughout our townships, rural areas, and small dorpies offering authentic creative experiences throughout our tourism value chain.
These SMMEs are crucial for our goal of inclusive sustainable tourism and help spread the benefits of tourism to communities outside the traditional tourism “hotspots”.
The minister further said her department will set aside funds that will be used solely to develop and maintain state-owned and community-based tourism assets in the next three years.
Among other things, Sisulu said this will assist in protecting tourism assets and core infrastructure as well as supporting inclusive economic participation through diverse community-owned products.
