So said Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa who was in Port Elizabeth, at the invite of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, to address tourism authorities and stakeholders this morning.
Xasa is a local Eastern Cape lass from the village of Libode near mThatha in the Eastern Cape who went from wielding chalk in a classroom to politics and was appointed Deputy Minister of Tourism in 2009.
As is the wont of every person who attends these events, we were only there in an attempt to fathom exactly what the plans of government are to promote our section of the wood – short sighted methinks, but that is the nature of the selfish beast known as a human.
Draw your own conclusions as to what those plans are by skimming through these sound bites taken from the address by the Deputy Minister:
- 8% of 2010 GDP was generated through tourism (around R189 Billion)
- Tourism is one of South Africa’s 6 key growth pillars
- The Private sector is a key driver of that growth
- SA Tourism currently emphasises marketing to emerging markets
- The traditional European Market has shrunk
- We need to amass our resources at Trade Shows
- 200 major events over the next five years are coming to South Africa which represents a potential 300 000 delegates
- A big event for George will be the European Golf Tour
- We have to ensure that everyone can see the benefit to South Africa of major events
- SA Tourism is aiming to become one of the Top 20 tourist destinations by 2020
- Aiming for 15 million arrivals, a contribution to GDP of R499 Billion and 225 000 jobs by 2020
- SA Tourism doesn’t want to overregulate the industry
- An increasing focus on domestic tourism will make the industry sustainable
- People development is the key to tourism
- South Africa has the best water and longest coastline but are not doing anything with it
- SA Tourism is looking at municipalities taking tourism seriously
- Our infrastructure, like signage, is very important
- Lack of research is a critical area needing attention
- Most of the tourism attractions in Nelson Mandela Bay are government supported. Private industry needs to establish their own iconic attractions
- Adventure Tourism is a big industry
- What is the Nelson Mandela Bay name really doing for the metropole?
After the chat, the Deputy Minister slipped off to see some of our iconic tourist attractions such as the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Donkin Reserve, Route 67, Bayworld and, probably, past the sadly decrepit and not working anymore Apple Express.
At the Donkin Reserve it was heartening to see a busload of German and Swedish tourists arrive to take in the sights and pose alongside the voting line installation on the Reserve. Plus I was inordinately pleased to observe the Deputy minister and Mandlakazi Skefile from NMBT engaging the tourists in conversation – a genuine experience for the German/Swiss Oldies I am sure.
Tokozile Xasa and Mandlakazi Skefile engage German and Swiss Tourists in conversation on the Donkin Reserve, Port Elizabeth.
The Donkin Reserve is fast becoming a great place to visit. The art installations are mostly fully complete with landscaping taking place. An addition to the experience is the presence of lamp pole posters which you can write your memory of certain years on as the Deputy Minister did.
1971: The year I started school in the rural village of Libode ……. writes Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa.
