National Rural Tourism Strategy unveiled

South African Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has launched the National Rural Tourism Strategy.

The strategy illustrates the National Department of Tourism’s commitment to the development of rural economies in general and rural tourism in particular.

“The strategy can greatly contribute to the alleviation of pressure in areas that are often characterised by poverty and underdevelopment,” he said.

The main problem areas that are hampering rural tourism development have been identified.

•    Tourism has been inadequately resourced and funded in rural areas.
•    A number of key rural tourist attractions are located in rural areas and are not receiving the benefits stemming from the tourism industry.
•    The limited involvement of local communities serves as a major constraint in developing tourism in rural areas.

To address these challenges, the strategy aims to facilitate the co-ordination of rural tourism development initiatives among relevant stakeholders; create an enabling environment for rural tourism development to stimulate job creation; and identify and recommend strategic areas/nodes for tourism development in rural areas within the sector.

The National Department of Tourism has identified the West Coast, Karoo, Maluti Drakensberg, Bushbuck Ridge and Vhembe as nodes for rural tourism development. All of the identified nodes hold huge potential for trade, accommodation and cultural products.

The department will provide support with tourism infrastructure development, particularly where community-led initiatives emerge. It will further support the tourism skills base and will assist with market access in support of sustainable, community-led economies and labour absorption into the market.
The Minister also unveiled Phase 3 of the Donkey Cart Project in Cederberg in the Western Cape.

The initiative, which is part of the Department of Tourism's National Rural Strategy, entails the development of a three-day tour through the Cederberg mountain area and Heuningvlei as well as a donkey-trek route through Heuningvlei with accommodation facilities for overnight visitors.

It aims to promote tourism in the Cederberg area, which will ultimately assist in the community's development and poverty alleviation.

Phases 1 and 2 of the project focused on infrastructural development and creating an enabling environment for the project to be viable and profitable.

Through its Expanded Public Works Programme budget, the Department of Tourism has allocated R20 million for the third phase of the project. The project will attempt to absorb at least 234 beneficiaries, exposing them to experiential job training, social upliftment programmes and tourism industry awareness activities.

To peruse the strategy, visit www.tourism.gov.za.