The Department of Tourism together with the industry and its constituent sub-sectors, provincial departments and tourism agencies will hold the first review of the Tourism Policy Framework since the 1996 White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa.

The symposium will enable the sector to deliberate on areas requiring policy consideration and proposals for key policy positions for future growth and development of the sector. Among the areas to be considered are the rapid growth of Homestays and the shared economy which includes Uber and Airbnb.

The review will also be guided by the National Development Plan (NDP) to ensure that the updated tourism policy framework support the NDP goals.

Objectives identified for the symposium include the following:

• to critically reflect on tourism policy and the broader Tourism Legislation context;
• to obtain stakeholder inputs on proposed policy and legislative revisions in pursuit of the growth of the sector;
• to ensure alignment of provincial policies and plans with national tourism plans and strategies; and
• to ensure a broader sector’s participation in laying the foundations of a revised Tourism Policy Framework.

Members of the media are cordially invited to attend as follows:
Date:  Tuesday, 6 September 2016
Venue:  Protea Hotel OR Tambo, Kempton Park
Time:  9h00

Programme

08h00 – 09h00  Delegates Registration

09h00 – 09h15  Opening and Welcome Remarks

Programme Facilitator: Ms Shamilla Chettiar  - Deputy Director-General: Policy & Knowledge Services

09h20 – 09h50   Objectives of the Symposium : Setting the Scene
Mr Victor Tharage - Director-General

09h55 – 10h25   Industry Perspective on Tourism Policy Developments

Mmatšatši Ramawela - Chief Executive Officer (TBCSA)

10h30 – 11h00    Key Global Tourism Trends and Developments- Providing New Opportunities for Destination South Africa
Emeritus Professor: Ernie Heath  - University of Pretoria

15h05 - 16h00    Way forward

Shamilla Chettiar  - Programme Facilitator

16h00    Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks
Mr Victor Tharage - Director General

For more information contact:

Mr. Trevor Bloem
Chief Director: Communications
Tel: 012 444 6607
E-mail:  tbloem@tourism.gov.za

Ms. Sibongumusa Ngidi 
Chief Director: Policy Development & Evaluation
Tel: 012 444 6326
E-mail: sngidi@tourism.gov.za