BEE Tourism Charter launched
10 May 2005
Almost a third of South Africa's tourism industry will be in black hands by 2014. This is according to the new Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) Tourism Charter, officially launched by government on Sunday.
The launch took place in Durban at Indaba 2005, South Africa's premier tourism exhibition.
The charter will be implemented over two periods: the first phase over next five years to 2009, and the second in the period to 2014. It will be gazetted by August 2005.
At the launch, SA Tourism CEO Moeketsi Mosola said the charter was a landmark in the history of the industry, and will ensure its long-term sustainability.
"This vital and long-overdue piece of legislation provides industry with definitive guidance on the non-negotiable issue of transformation."
Mosola said SA Tourism was committed to taking the lead and working with industry to implement the regulations, which make sound business sense.
"Our BEE charter will unlock
the potential of the domestic tourism sector to ensure that visitors enjoy a quality and value-for-money travel experience in our country," he said.
The charter sets out voluntary commitments by the tourism sector to achieve empowerment targets over the next 10 years. These include ownership, strategic management, employment equity, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development and social development.
"For too many decades tourism has been the symbol of everything wrong with South Africa," Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said at the launch.
"Today we take the single most important step forward since 1994 in addressing that legacy, and ensuring we break down the walls separating our communities from the benefits of tourism."
In 2003, of all tourism companies listed on the JSE there was an average of only 6% BEE ownership. The charter aims to increase this to 30% by 2014.
"The charter is intended
to also unlock the creativity, enthusiasm and knowledge of many South Africans who have not been able to productively participate in the industry," said the department's chief director for tourism development, Mahandra Naidoo.
Opening Indaba on Saturday, Van Schalkwyk challenged the industry to break the seven-million target of tourists visiting this country this year. Close to 6.7-million tourists arrived in South Africa in 2004.
"Last year we recorded the highest number of arrivals ever. In partnership with SA Tourism, we have ignited a new global flame and stand ready to welcome the world," said Van Schalkwyk.
"Ultimately the charter will be only as successful as the industry allows it to be - through participation and a will to see it implemented. BEE is as much about the competitiveness of our industry as it is about direct upliftment and empowerment. It makes good business sense and it's the right thing to do."
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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