Tourism Month

TOURISM MONTH BY JESSIE TAYLOR

The importance of the tourism sector

Growing and transforming the country’s economy

DOMESTIC TRAVEL: TAPPING INTO ECONOMIC REVITALISATION THROUGH LOCAL TOURISM South Africans have the power to transform their own tourism industry, increasing job creation and stimulating economic recovery.

This is the sentiment behind a new travel campaign, launched by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), in partnership with SA Tourism and the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.

Domestic travel has long been a significant source of economic activity. In the first quarter of 2022, there were six million domestic tourism trips, placing the market well on the way to reaching the 28 million trips taken in 2019 before the pandemic. Domestic travel trips dropped to 19 million trips in 2020 and 15 million in 2021.

The domestic tourism spend in 2019 was R44-billion, which increased to R68-billion in 2020. In the first quarter of this year, domestic tourism spend sat at R19-billion.

It is this market that the latest locally-focused tourism campaign hopes to tap into.

GAINING BACK THE LOSSES CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC The campaign looks to gain back some of the losses the tourism industry experienced during Covid-19. The industry lost an estimated R54 billion in income over 2020 and 2021, facing around a 75% revenue reduction at the height of the pandemic. More than 430 000 jobs were affected by the shrinking revenue.

Before the pandemic, travellers to South Africa brought around R82-billion into the country in direct foreign spending and accounted for just over 9% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). The sector was considered the country’s second most

important export sector before the pandemic’s international travel restrictions reduced tourism activity to a trickle.

While these restrictions have since fallen away and international travel is slowly recovering, the industry believes that unlocking domestic travel could fast track the sector’s recovery.

IDC CEO TP Nchocho says: “Prior to the on-set of the Covid-19 pandemic, the numbers confirm the importance of the sector in relation to GDP contribution. The subsequent economic lockdowns significantly disrupted the growth momentum in the sector.”

The tourism sector has been earmarked as an essential industry to encourage economic recovery and is one of the critical intervention areas that have been identified in the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan.

The sector is seen as a key driver of the economic recovery in the country, and a Tourism Sector Recovery Plan has been developed to encourage economic activity. The plan is built on three pillars: protecting and rejuvenating supply, reigniting demand, strengthening and enabling the capability for long-term sustainability. Mr Nchocho added that the IDC’s travel campaign is primarily intended to encourage South Africans to explore their own ‘backyard’ and help stimulate activity and revival of the tourism sector.

VALUE-DRIVEN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS As part of the campaign, travellers have an opportunity to secure holiday and leisure travel at a significantly discounted rate.

“We are delighted to present South Africans with an opportunity to explore the many tourism products that our country has to offer, and this is more important especially as we emerge from economic lockdowns and travel bans imposed at the height of the pandemic from May 2020 up to August last year. We are hopeful that this campaign will also help the sector recover some of the jobs lost during lockdowns,” he says.

The campaign comes at a time when South African travellers, facing increasing economic pressures, have cut down on international travel. The largest survey of travel intentions, by consultancy group Travel Lifestyle Network, found that more South Africans are opting to take local holidays. The South Africans polled indicated that value for money was important in their choice of destination, with 43% indicating that this would have the most impact on their selection. The survey found that South Africans expressed more desire to travel than the global average, but those who took trips were below the global average.

The survey revealed that less than 10% were planning to holiday overseas, whereas a quarter was planning a domestic holiday.

Mr Nchocho adds that the Corporation is commited to supporting the domestic industry through various initiatives and structured interventions.

“Soon after Covid hit our shores, the IDC unveiled a funding package through which it ring-fenced R250m from the Covid Relief fund in support of IDC investee companies in the sector. As the economy opens up, we anticipate an increase in local travel across South Africa. Our investment in this initiative demonstrates our confidence in the tourism sector as a key contributor to South Africa’s economy,” he added. n

Sources: Bizcommunity | Engineering News | IDC | SouthAfrica.net | BusinessLIVE | TBCSA | SA Gov

ADVERTORIAL MOPANI TVET COLLEGE

Mopani TVET College

Exciting new developments for Mopani TVET College

MOPANI TVET COLLEGE GIVES SPECIAL RECOGNITION TO ITS ARTISANS Mopani TVET College held its Artisan Recognition Ceremony on Friday, 5 August 2022 at Sir Val Duncan Campus to recognise students who recently completed their trades.

The event was attended by the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Deputy Director-General (DDG) for TVET Branch, Mr Sam Zungu, on behalf of Minister Blade Nzimande. Hon. Zungu delivered a keynote address to honour the 138 artisans who were recognised by the Department for successfully completing their various trades.

During the Artisan Recognition Ceremony, Hon. Zungu said, "When I arrived, I was impressed to see the artisans wearing overalls and not graduation gowns. It showed that they are ready to work. We are hands-on people; we want to get to work. There's nowhere, except for lawyers, where they will wear academic gowns when they get to work. To get South Africa working, this is the image we want to see".

The College Principal, Dr Levy Baloyi handed over toolboxes to the artisans, giving them a head start to their journey after completing their trades.

“I don’t want you to suffer after this by not getting a job. I want you to create your own jobs by opening your own businesses with these tools,” he elaborated.

Dr Baloyi pleaded with the private and government entities to create opportunities for all students coming from the TVET sector. Speaking on behalf of the students, SRC President, Mr Isaac Chauke, congratulated the artisans and appreciated the effort by the College management in making sure that they produce and recognise the trade-and-tested artisans.

I don’t want you to suffer after this by not getting a job. I want you to create your own jobs by opening your own businesses with these tools COLLEGE OFFICIALLY UNVEILED THE PHALABORWA CAMPUS NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING The new Administration Building on Mopani TVET College’s Phalaborwa Campus was officially opened on 5 August 2022.

The ceremony took place on the front steps of the new building, with college management, council, staff, stakeholders and officials from the Department of Higher Education and Training attending the event.

The Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation DDG for TVET Branch, Mr Zungu, said, “the opening of the new building was a joyful moment and that the new offices will make a huge difference in the campus’ service delivery”.

In his remarks, Dr Levy Baloyi congratulated the Campus Manager and her team for a job well done. He thanked the staff for making the campus a vibrant environment and commended the campus for being a beautiful learning space.

MOPANI TVET COLLEGE OPENS ITS DOORS FOR HIGH SCHOOL LEARNERS Mopani TVET College was abuzz with prospective students from several high schools across the Limpopo Province that converged at Sir Val Duncan’s campus on Friday, 5 August 2022 for the College’s annual open day.

The college hosted more than 2 000 Grade 9-12 learners together with their Life Orientation educators. Themed “Try a Skill”, the Open Day presented an ideal platform for learners to explore TVET study opportunities with on-the-spot assistance and advice, personal interaction with academics, current students or other prospective students.

The college showcased practical elements of its programmes such as Electrical Engineering, Carpentry, Welding, Diesel Mechanic, Hospitality etc. Learners were spoilt for choice with such a vast programme offering.

The success of the Open Day was due to the extensive school visits, follow-ups and career exhibitions by the school recruitment team throughout the year.

SETA’s, employers and universities also formed part of the event to impart information of their different services.

Dr Levy Baloyi highlighted the importance of the event and encouraged learners to learn more about the programmes offered in order to make better informed career choices. He further advised learners to choose TVET colleges as an option to further their studies and help bridge skills gaps such as that of artisans in the country.

“We are excited to open our gates to the youth to come and explore college life. It is times like this where one starts to understand that the education and training offered at TVET Colleges is designed to develop practical and other skills needed for a wide variety of jobs” said Dr Baloyi. An educator from Bjatladi Secondary School, Mr ME Leso thanked the college for giving learners and out of school youth an opportunity to visit the institution and to be taken through different programmes offered.

“Many learners never get an opportunity like this and as such they tend to be misinformed when they enrol at colleges” concluded Leso. The College’s Assistant Director for Marketing and Communication, Ms Given Sebashe, thanked the Department of Basic Education - in particular Circuit Managers, Principals and the Life Orientation Educators - for allowing the learners to attend this Open Day event.

ADDRESS: Cnr Combretum & Haarlem Streets, Private Bag, X01024, Phalaborwa, 1390 EMAIL: administration@ mopanicollege.edu.za TEL: 015 781 5721