Let me start by expressing my appreciation to the Government of the Republic of Korea for the excellent hospitality they have extended, and to the Secretary-General, Mr Taleb Rifai, for his leadership of this organisation.
We meet here on the eve of reaching an historic milestone in our industry. Next year, our industry is expected to witness one billion international arrivals. Without sounding self-congratulatory, I think we can rightfully say: What an accomplishment! Next year will be an opportunity to celebrate the phenomenal growth in our sector’s contribution to global prosperity since the start of commercial aviation some six decades ago. But it is also an opportunity for reflection, and to ask: What next? How do we maintain that momentum? In this vein, let me highlight four challenges:
Firstly, we have to acknowledge that our sector, as creator of one in every 12 jobs, has not yet taken its rightful place in global economic decision making. If travel and tourism were to be a country, it would rank 11th on the list of G20 countries for its direct contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), or third if we had to count its total economic contribution. That tells the story of a sector that has come of age in real economic terms, but not yet in political terms.
Secondly, we need to break out of the historical silos, where tourism and aviation are still regarded as unconnected sectors. In our multilateral institutions, industry associations and national governments, silo-based thinking on aviation and tourism is deeply entrenched and does not reflect the fundamental changes in tourism and aviation over the past few decades. We represent one value chain. This value chain is in dire need of greater policy coherence and collaboration at a global level. We need to find ways to look beyond our partial views, and respond with one voice to issues such as climate change, trade negotiations, taxes on international travel, and new security risks.
Thirdly, we need a shared vision for travel and tourism’s transformation in the low-carbon economy. I stress this, firstly because of South Africa’s deep sense of responsibility as incoming president of the UNFCCC’s COP17 - the international climate change negotiations that we will be hosting in Durban in less than two months time. And secondly, because we all share a common responsibility to preserve the earth’s resource base for future generations. This sector will have to contribute its fair share to global efforts to avoid a temperature increase of more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Over the next year, we, as an industry, may want to consolidate the various, fragmented aspirational goals, commitments and initiatives that are currently on the table. We need to combine forces and work towards a manifesto, or roadmap if you wish, for low-carbon tourism and aviation growth up to 2050.
And finally, let me refer to the opportunities presented by e-visas. The business case is clear: Electronic visa applications are less costly, more convenient and generally more efficient. So, let us put our heads together. Let us creatively address the legitimate concerns about the security of information sharing. It can be done. And let us utilise the spread and increasing efficiency of the internet to facilitate border crossings, and to enhance the experience of our most precious assets – tourists. I believe there is already an unstoppable momentum. The only question is: Who will capitalise on it first, and who will be left behind? Clearly, the first choice is that we join forces and find a win-win approach that works for us all.
I thank you.
For enquires:
Ministry of Tourism
Ms Melene Rossouw
Tel: +27 21 465 7240
Cell:+27 82 753 7107
E-mail: mrossouw@tourism.gov.za
Ms Natasha Rockman
Tel: +27 21 465 7240
Cell: +27 76 429 2264
E-mail: nrockman@tourism.gov.za
