Klerksdorp-North West Premier, Mme Thandi Modise has urged the people

of her province to work together in order to succeed in reviving the

domestic tourism potential for their own benefit and the future

generations.

 

Speaking at the Gala Dinner held n Klerksdorp on Thursday evening ahead of

the 33rd World Tourism Day, Premier Modise highlighted that the North West

has the potential to grow its economy through tourism.

 

“I can safely say the North West province offers excellent opportunities

and prospects in various industries, particularly within the fabricated metal,

transport equipment, food and beverage industry. As we are joining the rest

of the world in celebrating the 33rd year of the World Tourism Day, people

must know that our province has a rich tourism heritage,” Premier Modise

said.

 

She further acknowledged that until recently, the travel and tourism

industry were not taken seriously.

 

“As a country and indeed the North Wes province, we fully embrace the

realization and announcement that tourism is one of the priority sectors

that could positively contribute to the growth and development of our

economy and be in a position to create the much needed job opportunities as

well as alleviate poverty,” cited the Premier.

 

Through studies it is estimated that by 2030 there will be more than 1, 8

billion tourists in the world.

 

Premier Modise said through tourism sector there are ample job

opportunities for the people of the province and the country at large.

 

She further stressed that tourism create jobs at a higher rate than many

other sectors.

 

“We all know that tourism is one of the most labour intensive sectors, yet

it is one that creates jobs at a competitively higher rate.

 

It is therefore means that there is a possibility that the annual growth

rate of employment in the tourism sector will always be higher than the

growth rate of the total employment,” she said.

 

Premier Modise further encourage people around the globe to visit the North

West province.

 

“I want to urge people to visit the province because I can really tell you,

there is unbelievable tourism potential in the North Wes province.

 

The province is well positioned as a gateway to Gauteng and the SADC region

and it offers a variety of tourism products, ranging from water activities,

adventure, wildlife viewing, leisure, business and most of all the cultural

and heritage offerings,” she said.

 

The Gala Dinner which was hosted by Premier Modise was attended amongst

others by the Minister of Tourism Martinus Van SchalkwyK who was marking

the end of Tourism Month and celebrating 33RD World Tourim Day.

 

Minister Van Schalkwyk said tourism month 2013 would herald a new era for

domestic tourism in South Africa.

 

“it an era in which the whole nation will get out and experience the fun

and sheer wonder of a South African holiday,” he said.-TDN

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