Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth, James Vos, has recently written “with great concern” to the National Tourism Department on its Green Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa.
He raised several concerns in an official response to the Department ahead of the closing date for comments (which is now officially closed).
“While changes to legislation and the operating environment of tourism in South Africa are necessary and welcome, many of the proposals put forward in the Green Paper lack detail, a logical framework, or an understanding of the everyday realities of the industry’s small businesses and entrepreneurs,” said Vos.
He noted that, for example, the paper placed far too little emphasis on the growth of the tourism economy as a primary goal. “With this as a focus, the Department would be better placed to address the issues that stifle growth while giving greater direction on the implementation of various strategies.”
Vos has spoken numerous times to industry leaders and role players about his mission to help create a tourism-related job in every household in Cape Town.
“This mission rests on a clear, five-legged strategy: increased flights; boosting cruise travel; driving up events and conferences; helping SMMEs to develop their products and services; and pushing out clever campaigns backed up by real bookings to our city and its attractions.”
Vos added that the Green Paper also made “vague yet worrying” proposals for policies around the implementation of regulations and “thresholds on short-term rentals in line with internal best practices” with no further information on the aspects of these regulations.
“The Department must provide further details and ensure that their regulations don’t treat individuals renting out single rooms or a holiday house to earn an additional income the same as large hotels and others who rent out multiple properties.”
He said he and his team would gladly participate in engagements with the Tourism Department to share best practice for the benefit of other metros and the country at large.
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