South Africas private sector has lauded the adoption of a refreshed policy framework for tourism development as a major step forward in governments commitment to working with industry leaders in fine-tuning approaches advancing the sector.
The Department of Tourisms White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa was gazetted on October 4, following nationwide consultations and consideration of approximately 3500 public comments.
Replacing the original white paper of the same name published in 1996, the policy framework envisions a tourism sector that consistently leverages innovation and digital technology as the basis of creative and compelling tourism experiences, builds partnerships to strengthen tourisms impact, addresses barriers to tourism growth and responds to the countrys social cohesion imperatives.
South Africas leading private-sector associations including FEDHASA, SATSA and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa TBCSA, have commended the level of consultation and participation in developing the framework.
Its important that it was a consultative and collaborative process. The industry now needs to throw its support behind the initiatives laid out in the document, including the development of enhanced standards, so that we can ensure the safety and well-being of guests and visitors across South Africa, said FEDHASA National Chairperson Rosemary Anderson .
