SA tourism industry must get its ‘parochial’ head out of the sand and transform - deputy minister
JOHANNESBURG - The South African tourism industry must get its "parochial head out of the sand" and transform, according to Deputy Tourism Minister Fish Mahlalela.
SA's tourism industry is lagging far behind regarding transformation, research recently presented to Parliament covering the past 26 years, shows and this is very worrying, he said during a webinar hosted by the Tourism Department.
"It requires that we engage in very uncomfortable, but all- inclusive conversations about the nature and character of the post- Covid-19 society we want to realise. We need to create opportunities for everybody," said Mahlalela.
"Like all crises, the Covid-19 pandemic has exposed opportunities which we (should not) ignore at our own peril. We must have the courage to reinvent the future."
He pointed out the fact that one of the biggest developmental and strategic challenges SA faces is the high level of unemployment.
"We all know the Fourth
Industrial Revolution is affecting all economic processes and has increased the demand for skilled and semi- skilled workers," said Mahlalela.
"The aim of the webinar is to ensure we are on the right track for developing skills, especially among women and the youth, so they can become the agents of change now and beyond Covid-19. We can, therefore, not talk about inclusive growth without thinking of our youth and women of this country."
One of the issues raised during the webinar was the existence of a "misalignment" between course content and the skills needed by the tourism, hospitality and conservation industries.
"The content of tourism, hospitality and conservation courses are outdated, and we need to revise and come up with new ones," said Mahlalela.
"The private sector and all other role players must create pathways for work opportunities so young people can upskill themselves. These networks will allow young people to increase their availability for jobs and self-employment."