Van Schalkwyk asserted that local government was obligated to deliver basic infrastructure upon which tourism was built. “Tourism enhances the image of cities and towns; attracts additional commercial investments beyond the tourism sector; creates employment opportunities and contributes to economic growth.”
He cautioned local governments that failing to deliver basic tourism infrastructure could have a negative impact on the future economic growth and development in those municipalities as tourism has the potential to create local jobs.
“Local governments play an important role in the economic and social development of their communities. They must work with the various private and public stakeholders in the tourism sector to ensure that their communities derive maximum benefit. If tourism is to grow, we need a concerted, well-coordinated approach to manage it, which includes a well-managed approach to visitor servicing,” said the minister.
“I therefore call on municipalities to make tourism a high priority in their budgets. To create the same quality of jobs in the tourism sector as in other economic sectors, the investment required is much less,” continued Van Schalkwyk.
He said local governments would also find that in the National Department of Tourism, the social responsibility implementation (SRI) programme was a willing partner, which would make money available for concrete development plans. He cited three successful examples of the programme: Hector Pieterson Memorial Square in Soweto, which attracts about 25 000 visitors annually; Zithabiseni Resort, Mpumalanga; and Mukumbani Falls Project, Limpopo.
He said the local tourism industry had much to celebrate in terms of achievements and the integration of tourism in government policy, planning frameworks, and economic and development agenda. For this reason, the Local Government Tourism Development and Growth Support Programme was developed in partnership with the South African Local Government Association.
The minister said the programme would equip tourism practitioners and policy makers at local government level with much-enhanced tourism skills in key areas.
“We will work with provinces and municipalities to ensure the integration of tourism priorities in the Provincial Growth and Development Strategies and Integrated Development Plans.”
“The implementation of the National Tourism Sector Strategy will require strong partnerships across public and private sectors, but, most importantly, appropriate structuring, capacitation and resourcing in all spheres of government,” concluded the minister
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