News: South Africa’s Tourism Minister, Kubayi-Ngubane sets up panel to review industry policy, aim to reposition the sector

Following the impact of economic activities in the country by coronavirus pandemic especially the travel and tourism industry, South Africa’s Tourism Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane has appointed a panel of experts to review current tourism policy and develop a new policy direction for the sector.

The new policy aims to reposition the tourism sector toward a new trajectory by unlocking its full potential.

According to travelnews.co.za the advisory panel was selected by Minister from diverse knowledge in the sector and the economy.

All existing policies will be reviewed and guidance offered to the Minister over a 12-month period to develop a new, comprehensive and overarching tourism policy framework.

The panel chair is Dr Bongani Ngqulunga, director of the Johannesburg Institute for Advanced Studies at the University of Johannesburg.

He has worked in the South African Presidency for over a decade and previously served as Chief of Staff and spokesperson for the President of South Africa.

Other members of the panel are:

• Economist with the Nedbank Group Economic Unit, Busisiwe Radebe.

• Ceo of Cullinan Holdings, Michael Tollman.

• Board chair of Auspex Hotels and Leisure Management and member of the Tourism Transformation Council of South Africa, Mmatšatši Ramawela.

• Founder and chief architect of PR agency, DNA Brand Architects, Sylvester Chauke.

• Deputy chairperson of the South African Tourism Board, Mojankunyane Gumbi.

• Director of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Dianne Abrahams.

“The panel will ensure alignment between proposed policy and government plans and, through this policy review, we aim to reposition the tourism sector toward a new trajectory by unlocking its full potential.

It is my firm belief that this crucial work will go a long way in increasing our sector’s contribution to our economy, which finds itself at its weakest since the advent of the coronavirus pandemic,” said the Minister.

At a recent meeting all members of the panel expressed their commitment to working with government to close the policy gap.
“I am looking forward to working with the panel members who will help me steer the ship in the right direction.

The tourism sector has an intricate value chain which is continuously impacted by global policy developments, necessitating a comprehensive review of tourism policy in South Africa,” she said.