Mthatha - The tourism industry is to make up about 12 percent of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the time the 2010 FIFA World Cup comes around, says the Chief Executive Officer of SA Tourism.
Speaking at the launch of Tourism Month and the relaunch of the Sho't Left Campaign held in Qunu, Moeketsi Mosola said tourism's contribution to the GDP was expected to increase dramatically.
The 2007 campaign will be communicated through television, radio and print adverts, with the first appearing in late August of this year.
Responding to a question from BuaNews, Mr Mosola said: "The industry currently contributes about 8.2 percent of the national GDP, which is a R79 billion contribution."
Mr Mosola commented on the media reports of fears that South Africa would not be able to handle the influx of people in 2010, saying on a monthly basis the country already deals with 650 000 travellers.
"We are expecting some 450 000 international travellers in the space of six weeks," he said, adding that South Africa was more than capable of handling the influx of soccer fans.
In 2006, 8.3 million people passed through the country, said the CEO.
"If tourism is managed correctly in this country, we [at SA Tourism] expect the industry to contribute about 12 percent to national GDP by 2010," he said.
Also speaking at the media briefing, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) in the OR Tambo District and Chairperson for Finance and Economic Development Lizwi Nduku, said "tourism has been identified as one of the enablers that can make a contribution to the development of the [provinces] economy.
"People can now earn a living as a result of tourism. Having employment and earning a living are two different things," he said, noting however that a "person with a job can still be poor."
One of the challenges was increasing intergovernmental relations in order to increase infrastructure in the region.
"You can't talk tourism without talking economic development," stated Mr Nduku.
CEO of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board (ECTB) Advocate Naledi Burwana-Bisiwe told the media tourism had been identified as a means to empower women.
"Tourism has been identified as a priority sector for growth and as an initiative to empower women," said Ms Burwana-Bisiwe.
Women are being assisted through a number of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) programmes, and women-owned businesses are also receiving help in terms of grading and arts and crafts development programmes.
Mr Mosola concluded the media briefing by saying tourism had become a very important element in communicating to people that this was their country.
"Travel and discover it, it is yours."
Speaking at the launch of Tourism Month and the relaunch of the Sho't Left Campaign held in Qunu, Moeketsi Mosola said tourism's contribution to the GDP was expected to increase dramatically.
The 2007 campaign will be communicated through television, radio and print adverts, with the first appearing in late August of this year.
Responding to a question from BuaNews, Mr Mosola said: "The industry currently contributes about 8.2 percent of the national GDP, which is a R79 billion contribution."
Mr Mosola commented on the media reports of fears that South Africa would not be able to handle the influx of people in 2010, saying on a monthly basis the country already deals with 650 000 travellers.
"We are expecting some 450 000 international travellers in the space of six weeks," he said, adding that South Africa was more than capable of handling the influx of soccer fans.
In 2006, 8.3 million people passed through the country, said the CEO.
"If tourism is managed correctly in this country, we [at SA Tourism] expect the industry to contribute about 12 percent to national GDP by 2010," he said.
Also speaking at the media briefing, Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) in the OR Tambo District and Chairperson for Finance and Economic Development Lizwi Nduku, said "tourism has been identified as one of the enablers that can make a contribution to the development of the [provinces] economy.
"People can now earn a living as a result of tourism. Having employment and earning a living are two different things," he said, noting however that a "person with a job can still be poor."
One of the challenges was increasing intergovernmental relations in order to increase infrastructure in the region.
"You can't talk tourism without talking economic development," stated Mr Nduku.
CEO of the Eastern Cape Tourism Board (ECTB) Advocate Naledi Burwana-Bisiwe told the media tourism had been identified as a means to empower women.
"Tourism has been identified as a priority sector for growth and as an initiative to empower women," said Ms Burwana-Bisiwe.
Women are being assisted through a number of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) programmes, and women-owned businesses are also receiving help in terms of grading and arts and crafts development programmes.
Mr Mosola concluded the media briefing by saying tourism had become a very important element in communicating to people that this was their country.
"Travel and discover it, it is yours."
- Michael Appel BuaNews
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