Business Council signs transformation charter

Leaders in South Africa's tourism industry adopted and signed an Empowerment and Transformation Charter for the industry at the agm of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) held at the Misty Hills Country Hotel last Friday. The charter, aimed at creating a more equitable distribution of jobs, skills, income and ownership of capital in the industry, signifies a commitment to working individually and collectively to ensure that the opportunities and benefits of the tourism industry are extended to previously disadvantaged South Africans. TBCSA Chairperson, Dr Danisa Baloyi, said that the signing of the charter was not just about social responsibility, but that it made sound business sense. "It requires signatories to report openly and honestly about progress made in their transformation programmes. This includes promotion of ownership in the industry, business development, creating management opportunities and enhancing community development." She said the ceremony signified a milestone in the TBCSA's pursuit of real growth and development in the tourism industry. Baloyi highlighted some of the organisations achievements in the past year which included: * A review of the TBCSA's constitution with the board representation being broadened to 18 members; * The broadening of the membership base to include businesses benefiting and/or affecting tourism; * Growing and sustaining the industry's voluntary levy which to date has collected R50m; * Engaging in co-operative marketing opportunities with international companies; * Engaging the media both locally and internationally to change attitudes and negative perceptions of the country; * Continuously negotiating with Retosa (Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa) to establish a common visa for the region; * The setting up of a task team to look at the availability of air services and access especially in the run up to the World Summit to be held in Johannesburg next year; * Ensuring the production of accurate, timely statistics from government, and * Being proactively involved in issues of health and safety and security. Baloyi said that while several events were out of the control of the industry such as disasters, crime, political instability and disease, many others were definitely within the industry's control such as service standards. (Miguel de Sousa)