According to a report tabled before the Tourism Portfolio Committee, the lack of basic services such as water and electricity across the different provinces affects the industry. The report indicates that a lack of basic municipal services hinders local economic growth, which could be achieved through tourism. 

The Chairperson of the Committee, who is also the former premier of the North West, Supra Mahumapelo, has indicated that there is a high need to ensure that tourism in villages and townships is revived.

He says more needs to be done to ensure that tourism is promoted in other provinces outside the popular tourist destinations such as the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

Following the report, which indicates how a lack of infrastructure development at local level impacts the industry, Mahumapelo has confirmed the focus of the committee will in the next few years be on measures to help the industry grow. This includes measures on how tourism in rural provinces could alleviate poverty, inequality and address unemployment.  

“There should be a focus on rescuing dilapidated buildings and municipal resorts and to restore them to tourist sites. Furthermore, there should also be a combined effort among all the 18 government departments, municipalities and tourism authorities to work together to ensure that tourism in villages, small dorpies and townships is revived”.

Mahumapelo’s statement comes amidst growing concerns on how the hospitality sector and the tourism industry as a whole are going to weather the Covid-19 storm and the effects it has on the economy.

OFM News