Authored by: Captain SA

The Department of Tourism of the Republic of South Africa recently convened a pivotal engagement session at the Southern Sun O.R. Tambo International Airport Hotel. The primary focus was to raise awareness about the newly approved White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism. This gathering attracted key stakeholders dedicated to shaping the future of the nation’s tourism sector.

#SouthAfrica #TourismDevelopment

The program commenced under the guidance of Mr. Senzo Nkala, who oversees policy planning and strategy. A warm welcome was extended by Mr. Caiphus Netshishivhe, Senior Manager of Tourism Development for the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.

#Ekurhuleni #TourismLeadership

Ms. A. Masome, Acting Director of Policy Development and Regulations at the Department of Tourism, delivered an insightful presentation on the White Paper’s key elements. This was followed by an interactive Q&A session, allowing attendees to delve deeper into the policy’s implications.

#TourismPolicy #StakeholderEngagement

A significant highlight was the emphasis on Tembisa’s strategic advantage, given its proximity to O.R. Tambo International Airport. Discussions centered on fostering effective collaboration to enhance tourism within the township, ensuring visitors experience Tembisa’s rich cultural offerings.

#Tembisa #CommunityTourism

Community leaders voiced their enthusiasm for the initiative. One remarked, “We are humbled & thankful for the invite; this is what we always wanted in Tembisa. Indeed, we are tired of seeing our tourists coming from overseas going to Soweto & passing us in Tembisa.”

#LocalVoices #TourismInclusivity

The symposium also featured insights into provincial tourism plans by Mr. Thabo Matsafu from the Gauteng Department of Economic Development. Local tourism strategies were discussed by representatives from various municipalities, and marketing initiatives were outlined by Regional and District Municipalities.

#GautengTourism #EconomicDevelopment

The Tembisa Parliament was well represented, with President Queen Milly and Deputy President Johannes Papi in attendance. Other notable attendees included representatives from the SAPS, Metro Police, faith-based organizations from Vaal and Soweto, and the Department of Economic Development.

#TembisaParliament #CommunityEngagement

The event concluded with a collaborative discussion on the way forward, underscoring the collective commitment to leveraging tourism as a catalyst for socio-economic development in Tembisa and beyond.

#TourismGrowth #SocioEconomicDevelopment

The Department of Tourism’s initiative marks a significant step toward inclusive and community-driven tourism growth, ensuring that areas like Tembisa are integral to South Africa’s tourism narrative.

#InclusiveTourism #SouthAfricaTourism