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The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) has noted the changes to the executive announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa. As the private sector tourism lobby, we welcome the appointment of Minister Patricia de Lille to the tourism portfolio. We also take this opportunity to thank former Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and wish her well.

TBCSA Charmain Blacky Komani states that Minister Patricia de Lille’s new tenure brings with it expectation and hope from the private sector that they will become the number one patron of the tourism industry. Along with becoming the chief ambassador of South African tourism, we would like to see the Minister place a heavy focus on the following key objectives. We believe these will help the country achieve its stated targets of 21 million arrivals by 2030, thus enabling economic growth.

These are:
    •    A  fully automated world-class e-Visa with improved airport e-infrastructure
    •    Waive visas for more source markets
    •    Introduce critical skills visas, temporary work visas
    •    Vehicle licensing backlogs must be addressed
    •    Additional funds for tourism marketing
    •    Private-Public Partnerships to radically improve and implement marketing – especially in key growth markets
    •    Investment incentives

The TBCSA is looking forward to engaging with the Minister on the above objectives and the wellbeing of the tourism sector.

Issued by Blacky Komani, Chairman of the TBCSA Board