North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise has urged the people of her province to work together in order to succeed in reviving the domestic tourism potential for their own benefit and the future generations.
Speaking at the Gala Dinner held n Klerksdorp on Thursday evening ahead of the 33rd World Tourism Day, Premier Modise highlighted that the North West has the potential to grow its economy through tourism.
“I can safely say the North West province offers excellent opportunities and prospects in various industries, particularly within the fabricated metal, transport equipment, food and beverage industry. As we are joining the rest of the world in celebrating the 33rd year of the World Tourism Day, people must know that our province has a rich tourism heritage,” Premier Modise said.
She further acknowledged that until recently, the travel and tourism industry were not taken seriously.
“As a country and indeed the North Wes province, we fully embrace the realization and announcement that tourism is one of the priority sectors that could positively contribute to the growth and development of our economy and be in a position to create the much needed job opportunities as well as alleviate poverty,” cited the Premier.
Through studies, it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more than 1, 8 billion tourists in the world. Premier Modise said through tourism sector there are ample job opportunities for the people of the province and the country at large. She further stressed that tourism create jobs at a higher rate than many other sectors.
“We all know that tourism is one of the most labour intensive sectors, yet it is one that creates jobs at a competitively higher rate. It is therefore means that there is a possibility that the annual growth rate of employment in the tourism sector will always be higher than the growth rate of the total employment,” she said.
Premier Modise further encourage people around the globe to visit the North West province. “I want to urge people to visit the province because I can really tell you, there is unbelievable tourism potential in the North Wes province.
The province is well positioned as a gateway to Gauteng and the SADC region and it offers a variety of tourism products, ranging from water activities, adventure, wildlife viewing, leisure, business and most of all the cultural and heritage offerings,” she said.
The Gala Dinner which was hosted by Premier Modise was attended amongst others by the Minister of Tourism Martinus Van SchalkwyK who was marking the end of Tourism Month and celebrating 33rd World Tourim Day. Minister Van Schalkwyk said tourism month 2013 would herald a new era for domestic tourism in South Africa.
“it an era in which the whole nation will get out and experience the fun and sheer wonder of a South African holiday,” he said.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Spokesperson
Cell: 083 629 1987
Tel: 018 388 3705
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
