To grow tourism on the continent, the African tourism industry needs to collaborate on a joint tourism action plan and align its standards around grading and classification.
This was the main message delivered in the keynote address by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, at a three-day Best Practice Workshop for tourism policy influencers and implementers from across the continent which kicked off today (Wednesday).
The Department of Tourism arranged the workshop – in collaboration with the Gauteng Provincial Department of Economic Development and the Gauteng Tourism Authority – to facilitate dialogue and an exchange of best practices in the area of grading and classification.
“The potential of economic growth and development related to the tourism sector is fully recognised globally. In the African context, the tourism sector is confronted with a number of issues, not only in its long-term development and prosperity, but also in the strategic orientation including dealing with issues such as safety and security, as well as health challenges, such as the current coronavirus,” he said.
Mahlalela, pointed out that it was therefore important to develop a tourism action plan which included establishing regional cooperation advocacy and stakeholder participation.
“As the experts in the sector, we need to respond to the needs and be innovative and strategic in our ways to develop Africa as a destination tapping into various attractions across the continent without creating unfair competition,” he commented.
