Tourism in SA gets bumper budget boost

SOUTH Africa’s environmental affairs and tourism sector received a bumper R295m boost with this week’s budget announcement. The Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has been allocated R2 018m for the 2005/2006 financial year, up over 14% from the previous R1 723m. Included in the budget, is provision for the government’s tourism programme aimed at creating conditions for sustainable growth and tourism development. The programme comprises three segments: tourism support to improve service quality levels, promote tourism awareness and BEE in the sector; tourism development, leveraging support for tourism SMME development; and SA Tourism, responsible for domestic and international marketing. The total amount allocated to the programme has increased almost 8% over the past year from R324m to R384m. The 2006/2007 transfer to SA Tourism is R457,2m, with R326m for international tourism marketing. To view the entire document, visit: www.finance.gov.za, click on Budget 2006, click on Estimates of National Expenditure and then scroll down to Economic Services and Infrastructure, click on the Environmental Affairs and Tourism PDF file. Editor’s note: In light of the tourism sector’s status as a key growth sector for South Africa, how do you feel about the minister’s allocation? Air your views by clicking on the ‘Reply to the Editor’ button below or email nataliat@nowmedia.co.za (Natalia Thomson) nataliat@nowmedia.co.za