Premier comes down hard on provincial tourism

IN his address to the Eastern Cape provincial legislature last week, Premier Makhenkesi Stofile, came down strongly on the provincial tourism industry for its "lack of vision, cohesion and aggression". "Tourism continues to offer our economy an opportunity for growth. Our economic strategy, therefore, cannot be complete if it does not include a strategy for improving the industry." Stofile said that his office had been told that most of the tourists to the Eastern Cape were there because of international agents in Europe and the US, without any participation or co-ordination from local operators. "The local industry does not take the culture of tourism seriously Cities are inward-looking and do not find their guidance from the Eastern Cape Tourism Board (ECTB). This has to be corrected." Stofile also called on the private sector to work with the ECTB and government in developing dedicated tourism trails.He suggested a trail which stretches from Storms River to the Wild Coast. "There should develop from this the Baviaanskloof artery with strong Khoi and San heritage. These routes should highlight the importance of the province in the history of Soiuth Africa and the world." Important heritage tools, says Stofile, include the mummy of Tsiksikamma, the rock paintings of Maluti, the trail of colonial fortsand the graves of chiefs and political leaders. Stofile has given a three-year deadline for development of infrastructure on the proposed routes. (Adéle Mackenzie)