SA Tourism industry made significant progress and achievements in 2007

The country’s council for organized tourism businesses – Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) Chief Executive Officer Mmatšatši Marobe said the industry made significant progress and achievements in 2007.
Speaking at the organization’s 12th Annual General Meeting held at the Midrand Conference Centre in Gauteng earlier in the week, Marobe said during the year under review the country welcomed a record number of 9,07million international tourists between January and December 2007. “This is a clear signs of a consolidated foundation to solidify the tourism industry’s collective achievements since the dawn of democracy in South Africa.”
According to Marobe the year was fast paced with as many positive developments as challenges in the tourism sector as well as in the broader economy. “On the broader economy we welcomed various encouraging developments with direct effect to the tourism sector.”
Some highlights include government’s commitment to the fight against crime through increased funding to the Safety and Security departments and associated agencies, further focus on improving South Africa’s human resources through education and training, support for 2010 FIFA World Cup ™ and improvements in welfare services and many others.
She said on the macroeconomic front few positive developments were also recorded in which the TBCSA played an important role. These range from the finalization of the aviation policy and land transport regulations by the Department of Transport. “Despite the fact that these policies took a while to be finalized – positive results begun to emerge in the sector especially to address the longstanding airlift and air access challenges.”
Marobe said progress was also made in skills development with both the private and public sectors coming together to discuss and agree on strategies to address this critical factor. “This resulted in the commissioning of a long awaited Skills Audit and the establishment of a multi stakeholder forum that seeks to continuously drive skills development issues.”
“Having crossed the proverbial ‘ten years’ as the “voice” of the tourism private sector, the organization found itself faced with the challenge of moving with the times. “This meant that the value proposition had to change – with the new process culminating in a new strategic outlook for the organization themed ‘KEEPING OUR EYES ON THE BALL’.”
She said the strategic plan subsequently approved by the TBCSA Management Board was based on four pillars named Membership, Communications, Strategic Knowledge Management and Transformation. “At the centre of the four pillars the board identified ten challenges affecting the industry growth.
These are Airlift and air access, Empowerment and BEE, Industry preparedness for 2010 FIFA World Cup ™, Human Resources and Skills Development, Statistics and Market Intelligence. Responsible Tourism, TOMSA Stability and Growth, Tourist Safety and Security and the Monitoring and removal of business impediments (both in private and public space).
“These ten elements form part of the TBCSA’s road map for the next ten years enabling the organization to get grips with high level issues as they occur.”
She said one of the most important achievements of the TBCSA in 2007 was the hosting of the first ever Hospitality Investment Conference (HICA). “This was an important milestone for the organization as it prepared itself to take a leading role within the local and global travel and tourism business sectors – it is against this background that we post our sincere appreciation and gratitude to all our supporters and sponsors who assisted in putting the event together.”
Marobe said the organisation in the year under review reasserted its role as an integral part of the African travel and tourism sector. “We resumed our participation in the affairs of the SADC through the Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa (RETOSA).”
“Our global partnership also saw the TBCSA establishing beneneficial relationships beyond the African Continent – this resulted in strengthening ties with the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and we continue to establish others in various key markets for the benefit of our members.”
Looking ahead the AGM delegates were informed that the next financial year hold a number of exciting opportunities for the industry as it matures and buckles down for growth towards 2010. The TBCSA is committed to be the true voice for the business sector of the tourism industry and to strengthening its partnership with the government in developing and growing tourism in South Africa. “Therefore we will continue to engage with all stakeholders in address of the identified issues,” concluded Marobe.”
At the event the TBCSA and TOMSA annual reports were released and as part of the programme an impressive list of quality speakers was lined-up. These included Dawie Roodt one of the most quoted economist in the South African media.
Quinton Coetzee with his motivational speak about everyones ability in the business world, Director General of the Department of Home Affairs, Mavuso Msimang.