Pretoria - Visit the Tshwane region and you have visited the entire South Africa all in one trip – so goes the saying in the tourism industry. This is largely due to the capital city being a place where travellers can meet the diverse and friendly people of the country, tourists experience the African outdoors, and where visitors can trace South Africa’s dramatic history.
The profile of the city as a tourist destination was further boosted with a partnership deal between the City of Tshwane and the Department of Tourism.
The partnership, which places emphasis on the status of women in tourism within the capital, was cemented during a breakfast at Moretele Park in Mamelodi.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa, announced a R100-million investment in growing the tourism sector in the country.
The tourism and travel sector in the country was an essential sector which contributed 10 percent to South Africa’s GDP, she said.
“With this investment we are committed to ensuring that the wonders we boast of, and the unique heritage we have been endowed with, are shared by more and more South Africans,” she said.
As part of the partnership, awareness campaigns in townships and workshops will be conducted to further consolidate the city as a tourist destination, deputy city manager Lindiwe Kwele said.
The Tshwane region is blessed with a variety of tourism attractions very close to one another.
It also offers authentic South African experiences in the villages, townships and the capital city, as well as unique attractions where travellers can get an “out of Africa” experience within 60km of the city centre.
The city is also considered the intellectual capital of the country, and the knowledge hub of the continent, with about 80 percent of the country’s research and development based here.
It is home to most of the government’s administrative departments, and the diplomatic hub of Africa, with 134 embassies and high commissions based here, which also uplifts the city as a tourism destination.
While the largest number of tourists to the city were visiting friends and families, research has shown that business and diplomatic tourism was not lagging far behind.
In fact, business travellers are considered to have been the fastest growing form of tourism in the city during the past decade.
With a growth of 6 percent a year, this will in future call for an upscale of accommodation facilities as well as business event venues, including conference centres.
Experts have also called for enhanced marketing activities of the city as a business destination.
Part of the process should include creating awareness and train city residents as tourist guides, hotel staff and to carry out administrative functions.
While new infrastructure will be required to cater for business tourists, existing attractions and historic sights will have to be maintained to remain relevant and attractive to visitors, according to the experts.
All in all, business visitors have a potential to contribute billions of rand to tourist spending in the capital within the next 15 years.
This will call for additions to the infrastructure, including natural reserves, wi-fi connectivity, direct flights and security.
Addressing guests in Mamelodi yesterday, Xasa said although great strides have been made in the past 21 years, the tourism sector has not seen the level of gender equality that reflects the demographics of the country.
In ensuring that women fully participate in the sector at various levels, Xasa said the department would partner with a distinguished South African business school to provide an executive development programme for women in the tourism sector.
“Our first priority is to involve as many of our stakeholders from within the sector, as well as those in education and academia to partner with us in programmes that provide skills development for our people – with a specific focus on women and the youth.
“We will provide in-depth training at the core of running a successful business such as finance, strategy, leadership, marketing, organisational dynamics and globalisation, governance and ethics,” she said.
The event was held as part of celebrating Tourism Month, celebrated in September to focus on the importance of tourism to the economy of South Africa.
The theme for this year us “A million New Experiences are a Sho’t left Away”.
TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
l The Union Buildings
l Freedom Park gives a depth of understanding of the road to a new SA
l Voortrekker Monument sheds light on the history of the Afrikaners.
l The Innovation Hub, a top-level science and technology park.
l The only city in the world with the Big Five roaming wild within its municipal boundaries at the 90 000ha Dinokeng Game Reserve.
l The first game sanctuary in Africa is the 500ha Groenkloof Nature Reserve.
l The Rietvlei Nature Reserve is one of the world’s largest urban reserves.
l Cullinan, where the largest gem-quality diamond in the world was discovered.
l Mamelodi heritage experiences, tracing the roots of jazz, and cycling tours.
l The CSIR International Convention Centre
Pretoria News