Tourism develops scorecard
Zibonele Ntuli
14 July 2004
Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk on Tuesday announced a seven-member steering committee to develop a Black Economic Empowerment scorecard for the tourism industry.
The steering committee is expected to present its recommendations by the end of the year on how the tourism industry should be transformed.
The committee will be chaired by Tim Modise of the Proudly South African campaign, and includes Danisa Baloyi of the National Black Business Caucus, Oyama Mabandla of SAA, and Wayne Duvenhage of the South African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association.
Others members are Tanya Abrahamse of Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Thabiso Thelai of The Don Group, and Thebe Investments chief executive Vusi Khanyile.
"They are all leaders in their respective fields who share a passion for tourism, and a determination to make all South Africans co-owners of our success," said Van Schalkwyk.
He said
transformation would be met with resistance, difficulty and uncertainty.
"The transformation challenges in tourism are immense, we understand there will be uncertainty, and some people will feel threatened. I would like to ensure them that there is enough for everybody to share."
The process is expected to result in a tourism sector that is sustainable, competitive and supported by all communities, while government will use the scorecard to align procurement spending, set and monitor measurable targets and to inform its approach to regulating the sector.
The minister was speaking from Soweto where he had spent the night in Orlando West at a three-star Thuto's Bed and Breakfast with his family in an effort to promote domestic travel.
He arrived in a white taxi branded "Sho't Left" and was treated to traditional beer at the entrance of the converted three-bedroom house.
Commenting about his stay in the township, Van Schalkwyk said he would come back without
the media.
"I enjoyed my stay thoroughly, I will be back. Soweto is just like staying in Randburg or Port Elizabeth, these bed and breakfasts are competitive, and they deserve their grades," he said.
Source: BuaNews
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