Tourism could treble employment in Jozi

02 March 2016

 

Employment in Johannesburg could treble and the economy grow by between 6% and 7% per annum if all stakeholders in the tourism industry “could get the sector going”.

 

This was said by Councillor Willie van der Schyf, the City of Johannesburg’s Chairman of Section 79 Portfolio Committee for Economic Development, at the conclusion of a two-day tourism indaba at the Walter Sisulu Square of Dedication in Kliptown, Soweto, on 1 March 2016.

The conference – jointly organised by the Southern Africa Tourism Services Association (SATSA), Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) and Joburg Tourism – brought more 100 established tour operators and emerging township tourism businesses under one roof to explore ways in which they could work together to grow the sector. The indaba, the first of its kind in South Africa, ended on a high note when the two sides committed to closer co-operation going forward.

Councillor Van der Schyf said tourism was one of the four key drivers of economic growth in Johannesburg that the City must focus on by assisting small, medium and micro enterprises in the sector. He said forums such as the indaba were an opportunity to get tourism partnerships off the ground.

“We must capture the enthusiasm, views and passion of the youth and emerging entrepreneurs so they can benefit from all the opportunities available,” Councillor Van der Schyf said.

“I believe that if we could get the tourism sector going, we could triple employment in the City and grow the economy by 6% to 7% per annum. Everyone would benefit from this.”

He said the key was to engage, share ideas and promote mentorship across the board. He said for its part, the City of Johannesburg had established its own tourism forum through which it engaged all the role players on a regular basis. The City is also setting up a tourism incubator in partnership with the University of Johannesburg and the University of Witwatersrand to offer both academic and practical experience, capture fresh ideas and turn them into tourism opportunities.

SATSA Chief Executive said making the indaba an annual event was a priority. He thanked Joburg Tourism, GTA and the Department of Tourism for partnering with his organisation.
Frost reiterated his call for a push for transformation in the tourism industry.