Tourism A Driver Of Economic Growth

South Africa has immense potential to use travel and tourism as drivers of economic growth, job creation and to promote social development, says the Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane.

- More Matshediso

The Minister said this as the country celebrates Tourism Month, which is marked annually in September.

She was recently appointed as the Minister of Tourism by President Cyril Ramaphosa when he announced his cabinet for the sixth administration.

The Department of Tourism has a mandate to promote the practice of responsible tourism for the benefit of the country and for the enjoyment of all its residents and foreign visitors.

It also has the responsibility to provide for the effective domestic and international marketing of South Africa as a tourist destination. The department promotes quality tourism products and services, tourism growth and the development of the tourism sector, and enhances cooperation and coordination between all spheres of government in developing and managing tourism.

This Tourism Month, Minister Kubayi-Ngubane encouraged South Africans to explore the country’s natural beauty and work as a collective to maintain the status of South Africa as a destination of choice for rest and recreation.

“South Africa has multiple heritage sites including World Heritage Sites, such as Mapungubwe, Cradle of Humankind and Robben Island, among others. These sites tell a story of the origins of humanity and that of humanity’s struggle against oppression.

“International and domestic tourists travel to these heritage sites to rediscover that they are human beings and that the struggle for freedom in any part of the world is their struggle as well,” the Minister noted.

She said it is appropriate to link tourism to heritage given that September is also celebrated as Heritage Month in South Africa.

Tourism vital for economic growth

Minister Kubayi-Ngubane said tourism remains a key driver of South Africa’s national economy and contributes to job creation.