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As South Africa marks the last day of Tourism Month today, the Department of Tourism is falling far short of its mandate to maximise our country’s tourism potential, especially with regard to domestic tourism.

Specifically, the Department has failed to adequately invest in, and optimally utilise, approximately 700 state-owned tourism assets identified in an audit conducted by the Department last year.

On oversight visits conducted by the DA, many of these assets, such as resorts in small towns, were found to be dysfunctional.

Importantly, many of these facilities are specifically aimed at serving the domestic tourism market.

Without access to these state-owned local resorts, many South Africans are excluded from enjoying our rich tourist offering with private offerings simply too expensive, as they are aimed at the lucrative international tourist market.

In order to address this problem the DA proposes the reduction of financial burden on the Department to maintain and upgrade all state-owned facilities by partnering with the private sector to convert select resorts into affordable budget holiday destinations.

This proposal, to be presented to the Portfolio Committee on Tourism, would go a long way to addressing the decline in domestic tourism.

The DA will also be requesting that the Minister briefs the Committee on the progress made in upgrading the 700 facilities identified in the audit.

It is reprehensible that South Africans are excluded from enjoying our country’s natural beauty because the Department is failing to make state-owned options more accessible and affordable.

All South Africans must be able to experience the best South Africa has to offer.

Issued by DA