A selection of South Africa’s leading tourism associations has rallied behind Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille, unequivocally dismissing suggestions made in a City Press report on Sunday that the Minister was “destroying tourism”.

The associations, including Asata, FEDHASA, SATSA, Savrala and SAACI, represent the entire gamut of the tourism sector, including travel agents, hospitality leaders, inbound operators, lodges, car-rental companies and MICE stakeholders.

In a joint press release, the associations said they “stand together in full support of the Minister and the constructive approach she has taken to promote South Africa as a leading tourism destination”.

The City Press article rehashed claims that De Lille had appointed conflicted members to the current board of South African Tourism, and that delays in appointing a full 13-member board had left the entity in a dire financial state.

De Lille rubbished the allegations, pointing out that SA Tourism had been in a state of dysfunction when she took over ministerial duties in March 2023. She denied that the entity had insufficient cash flows and said the current board had been hired in accordance with the Tourism Act while the process of appointing a full board was being finalised.

Tourism associations asserted that, far from destroying tourism, Minister de Lille had ushered in a new era of open communication and collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“Her leadership has established the structured engagement desperately needed to synergise common objectives of nurturing tourism growth.”

Expressing his full support for appointed SA Tourism Board Chair, Tim Harris, and acting CEO, Nombulelo Guliwe, David Frost, CEO of SATSA noted: "Minister de Lille has come into this portfolio with a desire to garner insights. She has engaged the private sector – the engines of tourism – and sought our opinions on the pressure points and fault lines needing urgent attention after years of deterioration.”

This sentiment was echoed by the leadership of Asata, FEDHASA, Savrala, and SAACI, who praised the Minister's responsiveness and willingness to act on issues raised by industry partners for the betterment of the sector.

Said Otto de Vries, CEO of Asata: "Minister de Lille has demonstrated genuine intent to lead and engage on matters impacting our industry. We have seen responsiveness to the concerns raised and action taken to intervene on critical issues."

Rosemary Anderson, National Chair of FEDHASA added: "The Minister's willingness to promptly address problems raised by industry has been a breath of fresh air. We are grateful for her interventions on matters like the diesel rebate, Tourism Incentive Programme, and visa systems that would smooth the way for our sector to rebuild."

Sandile Ntseoane, GM of Savrala, agreed that Minister de Lille had been “present” and “willing to engage” the industry to help resolve obstacles hindering tourism growth. “Amongst others, Minister de Lille has supported us in an important initiative relating to Tourism Safety, which threatens our industry.

“Working closely with us, the industry (through the TBCSA) and Minister de Lille have been instrumental in opening a National Tourism Operations Centre linked to Business Against Crime in Johannesburg where we now have a 24/7 emergency/incident management desk.”

Further, Minister de Lille’s actions to strengthen transparency, establish financial controls, and appoint leadership with private-sector expertise to critical tourism entities were courageous first steps to stabilising and optimising their effectiveness, they said.

Glenton de Kock, CEO of SAACI summarised: "The structured engagement between the public and private sectors has never been stronger. For tourism to succeed, this relationship must be upheld and strengthened in the way Minister de Lille has championed."