Tourism is the only resource with the potential to create thousands of employment opportunities in a short space of time, while in other sectors of the economy, people are either dismissed or retrenched.
This is according to United Association of South Africa (Uasa) support services general manager Leon Grobler.
Grobler noted that tourism in this country has not nearly been developed to its full potential.
He said it is important that South Africa focuses anew on its enormous tourism potential on World Tourism Day on Monday, and devises ways of developing it further.
He added that there should be more and bigger incentives for new, viable tourism projects.
According to Grobler, it is all very well to focus strongly on foreign tourists, but local tourists are easier and less expensive to reach.
There has to be a proper balance between local and foreign tourism.
With reference to Heritage Day on Friday, Grobler noted that South Africa should consider ways in which local tourists could be increasingly exposed to the large variety of local cultures.
He stated that Heritage Day could lead to better mutual understanding of the country’s cultures and ensure that the extensive cultural heritage is kept alive.
Grobler said he believes one of the ways in which the country’s common heritage may be kept truly alive for all South Africans is the introduction of a dual-price system for tourists, similar to that already in effect with much success in many other countries.
“It means that local tourists, who can identify themselves as such, will pay lower rates than foreign visitors. Not only will it encourage local tourism, but also create much-needed employment opportunities as more South Africans are enabled to go on holiday in their own country.” — I-Net Bridge