25 February 2008 - Speech
- OPENING SPEECH BY MARTHINUS VAN SCHALKWYK,
SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENTAL
AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, AT THE AFRICA INVESTOR
TOURISM AWARDS, HYATT REGENCY HOTEL, JOHANNESBURG
ON MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2008
Fellow African Ministers,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
It is indeed an honour
for me to welcome you at this prestigious
occasion. An evening where we salute those
who have made an invaluable contribution
to this dynamic industry, in this place
we call home - Africa
Africa has been the
leading region in terms of growth in international
tourist arrivals both in 2005 and 2006,
and it is anticipated that when the 2007
figures are released, the same growth will
be eminent. The 846 million international
arrivals in 2006 represented an additional
44 million arrivals over 2005’s 803 million
- marking a new record year for the tourism
industry. Of these 44 million, 22 million
were from Europe, 12 million from Asia and
the Pacific, and 3 million from each of
the remaining regions namely the Americas,
Africa and the Middle East.
TOURISM & 2010
Tourism has become an
effective tool to fight poverty while at
the same time aiming to improve the capacity
of the African destination so that we can
respond adequately to the increasing demands
of the increasingly competitive international
market.
It also creates an opportunity
for the establishment of many small and
micro entrepreneurs and enterprises in both
the formal and informal economy. Not only
does it provide material benefits by alleviating
poverty but it also instils and grows cultural
and national pride. It creates a greater
awareness of the natural environment and
its economic value and most importantly
creates a heightened sense of ownership.
And let us not forget the enormous investment
opportunities that this can attract. It
will all ultimately support the development
of Africa as a leading international tourism
destination.
Foremost on everyone’s
agenda must be the 2010 World Cup. And the
excitement is palpable! What an amazing
opportunity for South Africa and the African
continent. We are the first developing country
to host an event of this magnitude and that
in itself is an achievement. The decision
by FIFA to award the Soccer World Cup to
us sent a message that resonated throughout
the world. This message is that our people,
our country, our continent has stepped onto
centre-stage and that we stand ready. With
unprecedented levels of public and private
investment, this is also backed by unwavering
political will. This investment is helping
our young democracy to discard the shackles
of poverty, to create jobs and to build
much needed prosperity in all communities.
I am proud to say that
we have also pioneered the first-time ever
inclusion of graded non-hotel accommodation
for an event of this magnitude. Such accommodation
will comprise of bed and breakfast establishments,
guesthouses, lodges and self-catering facilities.
This is evidence of our commitment to economic
growth and ensuring that this great event
is indeed an “African World Cup” where the
benefits extend to our neighbouring countries.
An amount of 22 000 rooms have been contracted
to date. These include 157 rooms in Botswana
and 329 rooms in Swaziland. My department
has set itself a target of 10 000 non-hotel
rooms to be signed up by May 2008. All indications
are that these targets will be exceeded.
In Africa, the Travel
and Tourism Industry, which refers to the
direct spend, is expected to post a GDP
contribution of 3.7% in 2007, while the
Travel and Tourism Economy, incorporating
the direct as well as related spend, will
contribute 9.9%.
There are a number of
factors that impact on tourism in Africa
e.g. the exchange rate, the economic situation
and the sometimes volatile political situation.
But generally speaking, conditions in most
areas of the continent are calmer than what
they were a few years ago.
Let us also not forget
the impact of climate change on tourism
- the newest yet imminent threat to this
planet - as climate is an essential resource
for tourism. This will be evidenced through
desertification, loss of biodiversity, bleaching
of coral reefs etc. - all essential elements
in the tourism industry.
As tourism is vital
to the economy, we have to do the following
to ensure its sustainability:
protect the environment
and heritage;
develop and diversify products that we offer,
without losing our unique selling strength;
strengthen human capacity;
construct and maintain infrastructure,
deliver quality service;
ensure greater inclusiveness of local communities
for the enjoyment of the benefits derived
from tourism; and
Improve the continent’s image in international
arena.
And last but certainly not least, let us
continue to use tourism as a common tool
- an instrument of social cohesion and a
unifier of the African Nations - adding
impetus to the concept of the “African Renaissance.”
We as Africa stand ready
to welcome more and more tourists to our
continent.
I thank you.
Riaan Aucamp (Minister's Spokesperson)
+ More
OPENING SPEECH BY MARTHINUS
VAN SCHALKWYK, SOUTH AFRICAN MINISTER OF
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS AND TOURISM, AT THE
AFRICA INVESTOR TOURISM AWARDS, HYATT REGENCY
HOTEL, JOHANNESBURG ON MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY
2008
AFRICA - A REMARKABLE
TOURISM DESTINATION
Fellow African Ministers,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
INTRODUCTION
It is indeed an honour
for me to welcome you at this prestigious
occasion. An evening where we salute those
who have made an invaluable contribution
to this dynamic industry, in this place
we call home - Africa
Africa has been the
leading region in terms of growth in international
tourist arrivals both in 2005 and 2006,
and it is anticipated that when the 2007
figures are released, the same growth will
be eminent. The 846 million international
arrivals in 2006 represented an additional
44 million arrivals over 2005’s 803 million
- marking a new record year for the tourism
industry. Of these 44 million, 22 million
were from Europe, 12 million from Asia and
the Pacific, and 3 million from each of
the remaining regions namely the Americas,
Africa and the Middle East.
TOURISM & 2010
Tourism has become an
effective tool to fight poverty while at
the same time aiming to improve the capacity
of the African destination so that we can
respond adequately to the increasing demands
of the increasingly competitive international
market.
It also creates an opportunity
for the establishment of many small and
micro entrepreneurs and enterprises in both
the formal and informal economy. Not only
does it provide material benefits by alleviating
poverty but it also instils and grows cultural
and national pride. It creates a greater
awareness of the natural environment and
its economic value and most importantly
creates a heightened sense of ownership.
And let us not forget the enormous investment
opportunities that this can attract. It
will all ultimately support the development
of Africa as a leading international tourism
destination.
Foremost on everyone’s
agenda must be the 2010 World Cup. And the
excitement is palpable! What an amazing
opportunity for South Africa and the African
continent. We are the first developing country
to host an event of this magnitude and that
in itself is an achievement. The decision
by FIFA to award the Soccer World Cup to
us sent a message that resonated throughout
the world. This message is that our people,
our country, our continent has stepped onto
centre-stage and that we stand ready. With
unprecedented levels of public and private
investment, this is also backed by unwavering
political will. This investment is helping
our young democracy to discard the shackles
of poverty, to create jobs and to build
much needed prosperity in all communities.
I am proud to say that
we have also pioneered the first-time ever
inclusion of graded non-hotel accommodation
for an event of this magnitude. Such accommodation
will comprise of bed and breakfast establishments,
guesthouses, lodges and self-catering facilities.
This is evidence of our commitment to economic
growth and ensuring that this great event
is indeed an “African World Cup” where the
benefits extend to our neighbouring countries.
An amount of 22 000 rooms have been contracted
to date. These include 157 rooms in Botswana
and 329 rooms in Swaziland. My department
has set itself a target of 10 000 non-hotel
rooms to be signed up by May 2008. All indications
are that these targets will be exceeded.
In Africa, the Travel
and Tourism Industry, which refers to the
direct spend, is expected to post a GDP
contribution of 3.7% in 2007, while the
Travel and Tourism Economy, incorporating
the direct as well as related spend, will
contribute 9.9%.
There are a number of
factors that impact on tourism in Africa
e.g. the exchange rate, the economic situation
and the sometimes volatile political situation.
But generally speaking, conditions in most
areas of the continent are calmer than what
they were a few years ago.
Let us also not forget
the impact of climate change on tourism
- the newest yet imminent threat to this
planet - as climate is an essential resource
for tourism. This will be evidenced through
desertification, loss of biodiversity, bleaching
of coral reefs etc. - all essential elements
in the tourism industry.
As tourism is vital
to the economy, we have to do the following
to ensure its sustainability:
• protect the environment and heritage;
• develop and diversify products that we
offer, without losing our unique selling
strength;
• strengthen human capacity;
• construct and maintain infrastructure,
• deliver quality service;
• ensure greater inclusiveness of local
communities for the enjoyment of the benefits
derived from tourism; and
• Improve the continent’s image in international
arena.
And last but certainly
not least, let us continue to use tourism
as a common tool - an instrument of social
cohesion and a unifier of the African Nations
- adding impetus to the concept of the “African
Renaissance.”
We as Africa stand ready
to welcome more and more tourists to our
continent.
I thank you.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES: RIAAN AUCAMP
