Published on : Saturday, July 12, 2014
According to Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, the tourism sector is the “rescue operation” in South Africa’s economy in view of the contraction in the mining and manufacturing sectors.
Addressing the issues of unemployment, poverty and inequality, job creation was “uppermost” in his mind Mr. Hanekom told the annual general meeting of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa.
Mr. Hanekom said the tourism industry attributed above 600,000 direct jobs and 1.4-million indirect jobs.
According to the World Travel and Tourism Council in 2013 the travel and tourism industry contributed 3% (R103.2bn) to GDP.
It was expected to grow by 4.3% this year, and by 3.9% a year from 2014 to 2024.
Citing the tourism support programme, a
public fund for tourism enterprises, he said transformation would also boost comprehensive growth.
Mr. Hanekom also revealed that the minimum wage rate in the hospitality industry had been increased by 7.7%.
Tags: South Africa, tourism industry
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