The South African Minister of Tourism, Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, has accepted an invitation from Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF) to chair its Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industry Agenda Council for the period 2010-2011.
“I am honoured to have received this nomination from Professor Schwab. I look forward to the interaction with the other members of the Council and our sharing of ideas on issues which affect our Industry on a global scale. I believe the Council plays a vital role in facilitating debate and the exchange of expertise in order to advise the WEF and the international community on emerging issues in the tourism, travel and aviation sector,” Minister van Schalkwyk said.
“A key challenge is to break out of the silo mentality that still exists in some quarters, namely to regard tourism and aviation as unrelated sectors. Tourism and aviation are interdependent. Success in the one sector depends on and builds on success in the other. The WEF has played a vital role in bringing leaders from these sectors into the same room and in facilitating a forward-looking and inclusive dialogue between key stakeholders.
"The two sectors share many challenges, barriers and opportunities – something that was highlighted during the 2008/9 global financial crisis and its aftermath. Pertinent issues currently on the global agenda are firstly how travel, tourism and aviation can play a leadership role in the transition to a greener economy and secondly how these sectors can contribute to an equitable global trade expansion," Minister van Schalkwyk said.
The World Economic Forum is an independent, international organisation striving towards a world-class corporate governance system where values are as important a basis as rules. It is driven by the belief that economic progress without social development is not sustainable, while social development without economic progress is not feasible.
In addition to ongoing programmes and meetings across the world, the WEF’s Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland has for more than four decade provided leaders from industry, government, academia, civil society and the media with an unrivalled platform to shape the global agenda and catalyse solutions at the start of each year.
The 2500 participants at the Annual Meeting include 900 chief executives representing the world’s foremost global corporations, government representatives of the world’s top 25 economies and fast-growing small countries, civil society leaders and academics.
Minister Van Schalkwyk has been part of the South African delegation to Davos for the past two years. He has served as South African Tourism Minister for 6 years and was recognised as African Tourism Minister of the Year in February 2008.
According to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates for 2009, tourism’s direct and indirect contribution to South Africa’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 2.7% to R189.4 billion compared to 2008. This represents 7.9% of GDP.
The Network of Global Agenda Councils was created in 2008 by the WEF in order to convene relevant thought leaders from amongst others government, business and academia.
As multistakeholder groups formed to advance knowledge and collaboratively develop solutions to the most crucial issues on the global agenda, the Councils represent transformational innovation in global governance. Specifically, the Councils monitor key trends, identify global risks, map interrelationships and address knowledge gaps. Equally important, Councils also put forward ideas and recommendations to address global challenges.
The Councils are fully integrated into the WEF Community and are regular panellists in sessions at the WEF Annual Meeting, as well as WEF Regional Meetings and Industry Activities. The Councils are also integrated into the Global Agenda Partnership, which brings together the world’s foremost experts in an ongoing and collaborative process to address global, regional and industry challenges.
Media enquiries:
Ministry of Tourism
Natasha Rockman
Tel: 021 465 7240
Cell: 076 429 2264
nrockman@tourism.gov.za
Ronel Bester
Tel: 021 465 7240
Cell: 083 242 7763
E-mail: rbester@tourism.gov.za
