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Local government needed to be organised, capacitated and understand the business of the private sector in order to reap the benefits of tourism, said Mmatsatsi Ramawela, CEO of TBCSA, at this year’s Local Government Tourism Conference.
Ramawela pleaded with local municipalities attending the conference to conduct local economic development planning with tourism in mind, and ensure tourism is a priority in the municipality’s integrated development planning. She added that the TBCSA were mindful of some of the challenges faced by government, including limited resources, inadequate working relationships on tourism-related issues between municipalities, and limited understanding of factors affecting tourism.
At the same time, Stephanus Minnie, Director: Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Services at the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform, said that if tourism businesses wanted something done by government, they should participate. Minnie indicated that, by including a hidden gem in the Spatial Development Framework (SDF), which forms part of the IDP, it would become protected. Businesses can apply for an area to form part of the SDF and receive funding.
Ramawela concluded by saying tourism research capacity at local level needed “serious attention” for tourism at a local level to flourish.
Sоurсе: tourismupdate.co.za
