Michael Mabuyakhulu, the MEC for Economic Development & Tourism launched the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Master Plan today. By Des Langkilde.
At a travel trade stakeholder breakfast briefing held at the Faimont Zimbali Hotel in Ballito this morning, Minister Mabuyakhulu outlined the strategic framework of the Master Plan, which ties into the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Growth and Development Plan.
“South Africa must be counted amongst the top 20 tourism destinations by 2020, hence as the Province of KwaZulu-Natal we have responded by developing the Provincial Tourism Master Plan. Our province is renowned for its year round warm climatic conditions; magnificent beaches, beautiful scenery, diverse cultural and heritage tourism resources and for being home to two world heritage sites in the form of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park on the north coast and the uKhahlamba Drakensberg Mountain Ranges in the north west. It is our view therefore, that the tourism potential of the province should be enhanced in order to continue to remain competitive with other provinces in South Africa and the world”, said Minister Mabuyakhulu in his opening address to trade and media representatives.
He lauded the private sector of tourism in the province and the media for their efforts in upholding quality standards in tourism products, services and reporting and reiterated that Governments role is to provide infrastructure and facilities aimed at enhancing the tourism experience in the province but pointed out that it is incumbent on the private sector to make the Master Plan succeed.
A full report on the KwaZulu-Natal Tourism Master Plan will be published in the October edition of the Tourism Tattler Trade Journal.
