09 January 2007 - Media Statement - STATEMENT BY THE OFFICE
OF THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, MARTHINUS
VAN SCHALKWYK, 9 JANUARY 2007 - “Visitors to the 2010 World
Cup will be spoilt for choice in terms of accommodation
options,” said Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Environmental
Affairs and Tourism in Utrecht, Netherlands on Tuesday.
The Minister was delivering the keynote address at the opening
of the Vakantie Beurs, Europe’s largest exhibition dedicated
to tourism and leisure. The Minister’s high profile presence
at this event forms part of the roll-out of SA Tourism’s
international tourism marketing strategy.
The Minister praised the achievements of the local industry
as he announced the latest tourism statistics: “The success
of our marketing efforts is paying off in very concrete
terms. Recently released statistics for the period from
January to July 2006 show a 15.8% increase in tourism arrivals
to South Africa. More than 4.6 million people visited South
Africa during the period under review, outstripping the
2005 half-yearly figure by 636 610. The period under review
also witnessed a 3.3% increase in arrivals from Europe,
with the Netherlands showing a reasonable growth of 5.8%.”
“The highest number of arrivals - from the international
portfolio - came from the United Kingdom - a consistent
trend which has prevailed for several years. A massive 34.7%
more visitors from The Russian Federation landed in South
Africa over the first seven months of 2006, while the Scandinavian
countries (Finland, Norway, Sweden and Denmark) all posted
arrivals that exceeded 10%.”
The Minister also remarked on the global competitiveness
of South African tourism: “Our arrivals growth rates far
outstrip the rest of the world, which averaged around 4.5%
over a similar period. Growth in South African and indeed
sub-Saharan African tourism is driving overwhelmingly positive
tourism performance on the continent. Over the past two
years Africa has achieved the fastest growth rates of any
major region in the world - averaging in the region of 10%.”
Addressing the 2007 Vakantie Beurs theme of Community Based
Tourism, the Minister stated, “The tourism industry has
been identified as one of two priority sectors in the Accelerated
Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA), aimed
at increasing economic growth and dramatically reducing
poverty. We cannot achieve this without involving our communities
- not just in the major metropolitan areas, but also those
in rural areas. ”
The Minister further elaborated: “Every year we sponsor
the Emerging Tourism Entrepreneur of the Year Awards (ETEYA),
aimed at providing recognition and reward to successful
entrepreneurs from previously disadvantaged communities.
Finalists are selected from each of our nine provinces.
Their attendance at World Travel Market in London is sponsored,
and the overall winner of the award is announced at this
prestigious international event.”
The Minister also updated the audience on recent developments
in our preparations for 2010. “In previous tournaments,
only hotels were contracted to accommodate people. However,
South Africa is delivering on its promise to ensure that
visitors to the 2010 World Cup will be treated to a uniquely
African experience. For the first time in World Cup history,
non-hotel accommodation such as national park accommodation,
lodges, guesthouses, and bed and breakfasts will also be
contracted. All participating establishments will have to
obtain a grading rating from the Tourism Grading Council.
Small and medium sized enterprises from around the country
will be able to apply to our Tourism Enterprise Programme
for assistance that will partially cover the grading costs.
This will help us to achieve the dual objectives of spreading
tourism benefits beyond cities where matches are taking
place, and of providing spectators with an even wider range
of accommodation options.”
RIAAN AUCAMP
NTSIKI MPULO (SA TOURISM)
