Africa’s Travel Indaba: Rejuvenating the Tourism Sector through Skills Development and Connection

The Africa’s Travel Indaba, held on May 10th, 2023, in Durban, provided an exceptional platform for stakeholders in the tourism industry to collaborate and establish meaningful connections. The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Mr. Fish Mahlalela, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of networking and addressing skills shortages in the hospitality and tourism services sector.

Focusing on the National Tourism Career Expo

The Africa’s Travel Indaba brought together industry experts, government representatives, and educators to discuss the challenges faced by the tourism sector, particularly in the wake of the global pandemic. The event’s primary focus was on the National Tourism Career Expo (NTCE) planned for September 2023, which aims to promote tourism as a career, profession, and business of choice.

Bridging the Gap

The NTCE serves as a crucial bridge between the tourism industry, government, learners, and educators. It targets high school learners, college and university students, out-of-school youth, and unemployed tourism graduates to raise awareness about career and professional opportunities within the sector. The NTCE provides a platform for the tourism industry to showcase itself as a business and employer of choice, creating valuable networking opportunities for potential employees and employers.

Driving Growth and Recovery

In his address, Deputy Minister Mahlalela emphasized the importance of driving growth and recovery in the tourism sector, highlighting the need for a demand-led skills supply. He stated that a robust recovery plan must be anchored in a bold strategy to position the economy on a growth path, ensuring the talent supply meets demand.

Towards Sustainable Tourism

Tourism is a vital pillar of the South African economy and has experienced continued growth over the years. However, its success relies heavily on skills development, making it a key driver for socio-economic progress. The Department of Tourism, in collaboration with stakeholders, has developed a Tourism Sector Recovery Plan to aid recovery and growth in the industry. The plan focuses on three core pillars: protecting and rejuvenating supply, reigniting demand, and strengthening enabling capabilities for long-term sustainability.

Collaboration and Connection

The Africa’s Travel Indaba highlighted the significance of connections and collaborations in shaping the future of tourism in Africa. The upcoming NTCE in 2023, taking place at the Nasrec, Johannesburg Expo Centre, presents a promising opportunity for the sector’s stakeholders to come together and work towards a more prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive tourism industry. As Henry Ford once said, “Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

Rejuvenating the Tourism Sector

By promoting tourism as a viable career choice and facilitating networking opportunities between industry professionals and potential employees, events like the Africa’s Travel Indaba and NTCE play a crucial role in rejuvenating the tourism sector. It is through these collaborations and connections that the industry can address skills shortages, develop a demand-led talent supply, and ultimately contribute to the growth and sustainability of the tourism sector in Africa. Together, stakeholders can work towards creating an inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future for tourism on the continent.