Government celebrates World Tourism Day this week with a string of events.
The department of tourism has called on all South Africans to protect the environment and do tourism as it contributes vastly to job creations.
“The power of tourism touches every sector you can think of,” South Africa Tourism boss Sisa Ntshona said.
“It touches from construction to forest,” Ntshona said.
“And it brings overseas exposure to the door steps of small businesses. And that’s the beauty of it, we can get the economy growing,” he said.
World tourism day is aimed at appreciating tourism as the main channel in economic growth and development, he said.
The 2018’s Tourism Month activities are annual celebrations giving “insight” on the importance of this sector to the economy of South Africa.
This year’s theme is: Tourism and the Digital Transformation, highlighting the necessity for increased investments in digital technologies to create an environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism’.
Tourism minister Derek Hanekom stated that what needed to be done is to ensure that as tourism grows the people should also benefit.
“It is about the environment and the people. Without people and the participation of the people, the environment will not be protected,” Hanekom said.
“If the environment is well protected, there will be more tourists, more jobs and more opportunities,” he said.
(edited by NN)
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