In its endeavour to grow the economy of the North West province, MEC for Tourism, Desbo Mohono says that her department aims to play a pivotal role in changing the current economic landscape of Tourism.
MEC Mohono was presenting the 2014/15 Budget Vote for her new department at the provincial legislature in Mmabatho when she highlighted that the establishment of her department is in line with the identification of tourism as one of the priority sectors that can positively contribute to growing the economy of this province.
“According to the demographic perspective and trends as encapsulated in the Provincial Development Plan (PDP) the Provincial Economy needs to become more productive, more competitive and more diversified hence as the Department of Tourism, we are committing that in order to achieve employment and economic growth it will be more necessary to priorities certain economic sectors that will lead the overall building of the economy. Tourism is the next Gold of South Africa,” she said.
“The key strategic targets that will facilitate the growth of the tourism economy of the Province will amongst others include increasing the GGP contribution from 4% to 8% by 2020 in line with the National Tourism Sector Strategy and also increasing the number of jobs sustained in the industry from 39 000 to 70 000 by 2030. 1 billion in investments in Tourism product and infrastructure development is central to job creation and entrepreneurial opportunities,” she said.
“To further advance this course, the department will also host the Tourism Investment Conference with the primary objective of soliciting investments in new tourism and infrastructure products, positioning Destination North West from number 7 to number 4, increasing international arrivals from 500 000 to 1, 2 million, increasing the domestic trips from 1,9 million to 4 million and increasing the marketing spend from 8 million to 40 million rands by the year 2020,” concluded Mohono.
This is in line with Premier Supra Mahumapelo’s identification of the Tourism Sector alongside Agriculture and Culture as the key pillars to grow the economy of the North West and also the reaffirmation of the strategic contribution that the Tourism Sector continues to provide in growing the economy of South Africa as pertained in President Jacob Zuma’s recent State of the Nation Address.
Enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane
Cell: 072 542 8444
E-mail: dlolokwane@nwpg.gov.za
