A general view of a sign welcoming delegates at the entrance of the G20 Finance and Central Bank Deputies and Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ Meetings, at the Capital hotel in Zimbali, Durban
JOHANNESBURG - Economic growth, job creation and transformation were at the centre of discussions during the G20 Tourism Investment Summit held at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront precinct.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille stressed the value in leveraging collaboration with local and international partners in building tourism infrastructure that attracts visitors, uplifts communities and creates jobs.
The sector is also counting on sports events to help boost tourist numbers.
“As a Department of Tourism, we are working together with our Department of Sports, Arts and Culture in promoting sports tourism. South Africa is submitting our bid for the Formula 1 race in 2027,” said Minister de Lille. “I wish Minister Mackenzie (South Africa sports minister) all the best.”
In March next year, South Africa will host the LIV Golf Tournament for the first time, while 2027 will see the country co-hosting the Cricket World Cup.
De Lille said the G20 Tourism Investment Summit was a good launchpad to boost investment in the sector, while creating much-needed jobs.
“I call on you, our investors in this room and those joining us online, to bring forward your ideas, your models, and your innovations. Let us build tourism infrastructure that not only attracts visitors but uplifts communities and creates jobs. Our projects range in size. It includes God’s Window Skywalk in Mpumalanga which is looking for R200-million ($10.4-million) and investment to the Hole in the Wall Resort in the Eastern Cape which requires R141-million ($7.9-million).”
“Together we have eight projects which represent nearly R1-billion in investment-ready opportunities. And while public-private partnerships are one option, the amendments introduced by Treasury allow investors to provide us with innovative financing models. With the right mix, we can build infrastructure, create jobs, and uplift communities, all at once.”
Natalia Bayona, Executive Director of UN Tourism, said the United Nations was working with more than fifty countries globally to promote investment in education, technology, infrastructure and other sectors.
“The world is booming, and tourism is growing. UN Tourism expectations are that the sector will grow 5% this year. Last year, Africa grew 12%, Asia-Pacific 33% and globally there was 11% growth. In terms of Africa, the big players are Gambia. This is a very successful case with 46% growth. Morocco has 22% growth and in South Africa, there is 6% growth.”
Other delegates stressed the need for investment in the full tourism value chain, ranging from visa reforms and air connectivity to strengthening ties between the public and private sectors.
Princess Haifa Al Saud, the deputy minister of Saudi Arabia Tourism, said: “We are here to support. We are here to really make all of this come true and thank you so much for emphasising that sustainability is a very overused term. We say it too much and we don’t do enough about it.”
In an effort to make travel to South Africa more accessible, Home Affairs will be introducing digital visa applications by the end of September.