The newly-formed Department of Tourism will be headed up by Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the former Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. He will be supported by Thozile Xasa, who has been named as Deputy Minister of Tourism. Environmental Affairs now falls under what has been named the Ministry of Water and Environmental Affairs which will be headed up by Buyelwa Sonjica. Former Deputy Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Rejoice Mabhudafhasi, has been named as the Deputy Minister of that department.
South African Tourism (SAT) has congratulated van Schalkwyk in his appointment. Said Jabu Mabuza, SAT chairperson: "We welcome the government's decision to have a dedicated Minister and department. This is recognition of both this industry's importance to the economy that is embodied in the Tourism Growth Strategy, whose mandate it is to create jobs and contribute to Gross Domestic Product."
"With the focus and recognition of the need for a dedicated tourism ministry, we hope that additional resources will be invested in tourism because so much rides on this industry that has delivered, and will continue to deliver, significantly to our economy."
Industry pundits say the move to introduce a tourism ministry is a positive step for the sector. The initial fears that the importance of the environment to tourism would be lost with the split between Environmental Affairs and Tourism seem to have been allayed by retaining Van Schalkwyk, known for his focus on environmental issues during his tenure.
Comments
Tourism minister is Van Schalkwyk
And although both DEAT and South African Tourism have refused comment, industry giants 70-536 dump have been quick to voice their opinions on the possible implications this could have for tourism. Says industry stalwart, Herbie Rosenberg, South Africa needs a tourism minister with the political clout to ensure the tourism sector gets the support it needs.Tatalias suggests 70-562 braindumps that instead of a stand-alone tourism minister, DEAT should be restructured to include two director generals (one for environment and one for tourism), and two deputy ministers should be appointed, one for environment and another for tourism. “The tourism deputy minister should be tasked with lobbying ase practice tests other cabinet ministries that are relevant, like the Department of Safety and Security and Department of Transport. The key thing we should be doing now, as part of a process to use 2010 best mcts 70 562 tests to position SA for the next 10 years, is to structure ourselves in a way to take advantage of the next boom.”