The rhythmic beating of the African drum together with the festive ululating that echoed off the sandstone cliffs and the Brandwag Rock that stands sentinel over all, World Tourism Day celebrations culminated in the Free State town of Clarens once again affirming that South Africa is indeed a treasure trove of gems.
World Tourism Day is celebrated annually by the South African fraternity aligned to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) celebrations as part of tourism month. Nationally, all nine provinces, have had activities that have been activated throughout the month with the official celebrations hosted in the Free State.
The celebrations took place in the Basotho Cultural Village situated in the Golden Gate National Park. This village depicts the South Sotho people’s culture and architecture over centuries.
This year, the international theme is “Tourism linking Cultures.” In South Africa, the major focus during the month has been domestic tourism, it being the backbone of the industry. Our department and its partners would like to promote a culture of domestic travel among South Africans.
Through the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) we aim to increase the number of domestic trips from 30,9 million in 2009 to 54 million by 2020. Culture and heritage tourism products have the potential and are important drivers in growing our domestic market. The NTSS also aims to integrate Culture and Heritage resources into the mainstream of tourism development thereby supporting economic development and job creation.
The past weekend’s activities started most appropriate on Heritage Day and included activities like a cultural festival and Golf Day. To engage and further enthuse the industry, Minister of Tourism, Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, addressed a business breakfast to emphasise and add impetus to the global competitiveness of South Africa through culture, heritage and rural tourism product development.
The Minister also attended a public lecture at the Qwa Qwa Campus of the University of the Free State, in Phuthaditjhaba. The purpose of the public lecture was to present the department’s vision on the potential that culture and heritage tourism has in developing and promoting tourism in South Africa and to encourage dialogue and partnerships with the Tourism academia on this mat ter.
The Minister of Tourism also made a keynote address on the official celebration of World tourism day at the enchanting Basotho Cultural Village, 30 kilometres outside of Clarens.
The National Department of Tourism is in the process of developing a Culture and Heritage Tourism Strategy. To this effect, they have engaged with a wide range of stakeholders in the heritage and cultural fields as well as the tourism sector, private sector and local communities.
This strategy will seek to identify, develop, promote and manage authentic culture and heritage experiences that appeal to both the international and domestic markets.
Enquires:
National Department of Tourism
Trevor Bloem
Tel : 012 444 6607
Cell: 082 771 6729
E-mail: tbloem@tourism.gov.za
Ministry of Tourism
Ms Melene Rossouw
Tel: 021 465 7240
Cell: 082 753 7107
E-mail: mrossouw@tourism.gov.za
Ms Natasha Rockman
Tel: 021 465 7240
Cell: 076 429 2264
E-mail: nrockman@tourism.gov.za
South African Tourism
Mr Jermaine Craig
Cell: 083 2010 121
E-mail: Jermaine@southafrica.net
