Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has highlighted the importance of integrating community engagement into tourism and conservation efforts.
“Sustainable tourism is about ensuring that the beauty and biodiversity of our destinations are preserved for future generations,” De Lille said.
As part of the annual Tourism Summer campaign, launched in the Free State in October this year, de Lille and Deputy Minister Maggie Sotyu, visited various sites in the eThekwini Municipality on Wednesday.
The visit forms part of the summer readiness activations, as well as welcoming local and international tourists, who will visit various holiday destinations across the country, over the summer period.
Joined by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli and eThekwini Executive Committee members, de Lille and Sotyu spent time at key tourist sites, including the beach front, where they joined Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) workers in a beach clean-up operation.
The initiative organised by the Department of Tourism, in partnership with eThekwini Metro and the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, marks the fifth clean-up in an ongoing series aimed at promoting environmental conservation and responsible tourism.
The clean-up campaign aligns with the government’s commitment to preserve the environment and maintain Durban’s status as a top-tier holiday destination.
The initiative also underscores the need for collaborative efforts to ensure beaches and other attractions remain clean, safe, and appealing to both local and international tourists.
The clean-up was followed by an engagement with 50 senior citizens inside the Open Bus Tour to uShaka Marine World.
Tourism Sector Masterplan
“As South Africa's summer holiday season peaks and visitors venture out to explore our diverse travel offerings, we visited these sites to inspect summer readiness and to encourage visitors to explore the country responsibly.
“This roadshow is part of the broader objectives of the Tourism Sector Masterplan to promote tourist attractions and hidden gems in all our provinces," De Lille said.
The Tourism Sector Masterplan seeks to promote tourism attractions and hidden gems across South Africa’s provinces; foster collaboration between industry stakeholders, community members, and government entities; and drive initiatives that enhance safety and environmental awareness at key tourist sites.
Presidential eThekwini Working Group
The Department of Tourism is part of the Presidential eThekwini Working Group tasked with addressing various issues in eThekwini.
The working group represents an intergovernmental collaborative approach to addressing challenges in local government, and includes active participation from all levels of government, private sector, state owned enterprises, organised labour, and civil society.
Among the workstreams, is the tourism revitalisation workstream which includes beach clean-ups and general clean up initiatives around the city.
“The clean-up programmes have been a resounding success, with over 800 participants mobilised to date. These participants include EPWP workers, tourism monitors, volunteers from government, local businesses, NGOs [non-government organisations], and local communities, showcasing a collective commitment to revitalising eThekwini.
“The Deputy Minister and I want to thank all visitors for choosing to explore our beautiful country and contributing to the success and growth of the tourism sector. We especially want to thank our domestic travellers as this is the bedrock of our sector, and we thank them for exploring and enjoying their own country,” the Minister said.
Tourism Monitors
As part of supplementing safety initiatives by the South African Police Service and local law enforcement, Sotyu said the department has implemented the Tourism Monitors initiative, which involves the training, mentorship, and deployment of unemployed youth at identified tourism sites across the country and enhance tourism safety.
Sotyu said a total of 78 tourism monitors have been deployed to various sites in the eThekwini region.
“The Tourism Monitors Programme is part of the National Tourism Safety Plan to enhance tourism safety awareness at key tourism sites; upskill unemployed youth, and reduce tourist vulnerabilities," Sotyu said.
The Deputy Minister added that the department, together with partners in eThekwini, will continue to conduct clean-up campaigns and deploy Tourism Monitors to the region, to assist with safety and upkeep of tourist sites.
Ntuli emphasised that tourism is one of the cornerstones of KwaZulu-Natal’s economy.
“Maintaining clean and welcoming spaces is not just about aesthetics but also about fostering a sense of pride and responsibility among residents,” Ntuli said. – SAnews.gov.za
