MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube on World Tourism Day

Media statement by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube reflecting on aviation industry, World Tourism Day and  great long weekend.

As we reconstruct and transform our economy, the aviation sector remains critical.

We acknowledge the fact that before lockdown, King Shaka International Airport had served between 5 to 10 million passengers. This includes domestic and international travellers into the province.

Stats show that around February, air transport and tourism industries in SA supported a total of about 472 000 jobs and contributed about R180 billion to Gross Domestic Product each year.

Fast forward to the beginning of June, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimated that in SA 252 000 jobs were at risk.

We are excited that on the 4th October, we will welcome the Emirates flight at the King Shaka International Airport. This will undoubtedly help resuscitating the aviation industry and saving much needed jobs.  

It should be remembered that the first Emirates flight between Durban and Dubai was on 1, October 2009. The airline has since carried over two million passengers on the route.  Over the years Emirates has been a reliable partner. 

We will continue to work with the airline to position this province as a destination for tourists and for those who want to do business. We are looking forward to another ten years of increase in the number of visitors to KZN.

Emirates SkyCargo also remains a key enabler in facilitating global trade and export in South Africa by carrying a more than 3 8120 039 tonnes of crago  of cargo to and from Durban over the last five years, with the majority being automotive and shipping components and perishables.

As guided by the KZN Economic reconstruction and transformation plan, all MECs serving in the Economic Sectors, Investment, Employment and Infrastructure Development (Esieid) Cluster of the provincial government – will ensure that we increase the exports of products produced in this province with agricultural products being identified as critical.

As the whole world and the country observes World Tourism Day, I wish to assure the people of this province that we will continue to work with municipalities across the province to ensure that we local communities are brought into the mainstream tourism.

The success of tourism will be judged by how much it is contributing towards our efforts aimed at substantially reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment in our country.

 Regarding this past weekend - heritage celebrations marking the beginning of a long weekend generated optimism for stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industries.

Stakeholders in the tourism industry reported a steady rise in bookings at resorts throughout KZN - a phenomenon attributed to factors such as people being travel-starved, good discounts at venues and warmer weather conditions.

It should be remembered that at the beginning of this month I visited various tourism attractions. During my visits, I was able to put firmly on the national and world map hidden gems that visitors can explore when visiting the province.  I was accompanied by mayors, leaders of society, traditional leaders and stakeholders in the tourism industry and captains of industry.

This long weekend - we have seen tourists visiting rural areas and some townships.

Our entity Tourism KZN will continue to work closely with tourism trade partners to put together amazing specials that potential travellers can take advantage of and explore the province with friends, family and loved ones.

All tourism venues will be briefed regularly on the need to abide by health and hygiene measures to keep visitors safe from the pandemic. We thank industry stakeholders for their adherence to health protocols this weekend and over the past few weeks.

 

Note to Assignment Editors: 22 September is World Rhino Day. I will also observe this important day. I will pay tribute to law enforcement agencies, nature lovers, conservationists who are working with our entity Ezemvelo-Wildlife to fight wildlife crime.

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