(Debate in parliament: Adjustment Budget for the Department of Tourism)
The government needs to realise the value of the tourism industry in South Africa and must do away with discriminatory, race-based regulations that are threatening the growth and very survival of the industry.
It is of the utmost importance to lift the lockdown regulations imposed on the tourism industry at once to keep the entire industry from collapsing. The industry contributes approximately R273 billion to the country's economy every year and is also one of the biggest providers of jobs.
The industry also makes a significant albeit indirect contribution to infrastructure development and is a great earner of foreign currency, which is critically important for economic growth.
Instead of recognising the valuable contribution that tourism makes to South Africa, the government has slashed the budget with more than 50%. Tourism is the country’s most important marketing tool – both domestically and internationally.
The tourism industry was brought to its knees by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. And a budget cut on top of that will have a severely detrimental effect on the industry's ability to recover when the pandemic is over.
Government aid and investments are vital for sustainable growth and development when the state of disaster comes to an end. The government must immediately stop using race as a criterion for government aid.
All tourism enterprises contribute to job creation and in so doing, enable South Africans, regardless of their race, to care for their families. More than 2,2 million employees are directly or indirectly dependent on the industry for their income.
We are all proudly South African. Thus, we should rather join hands to make sure that the country and all its people benefit. Open up the tourism industry and make sure that the country retains one of its most valuable assets for the generations to come.
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