TBCSA Offices, 3 Amethyst Avenue, Lyttleton Manor Ext 3, Centurion,
Pretoria, 0157, PO Box 11655, Centurion, 0046, Gauteng, South Africa,
Telephone: +27 12 664 0120 | Facsimile: +27 12 664 0103,
Email: tourism@tbcsa | Website: www.tbcsa.org.za,
TBCSA - 2008/011486/08
THIS TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK
Edition 10/17
For the week ending 24 March 2017
Dear Members
Welcome to this edition of THIS TRAVEL & TOURISM WEEK. The week saw us commemorating
two important days in the calendar: Human Rights Day and World Water Day. In this edition we
talk about the important link of the two commemorative days.
We provide you with an update on some challenges to address before the implementation of the
National Minimum Wage and also on key issues raised by business on the new White Paper on
International Migration. We share the TSI Accommodation Report for February 2017, notable
findings from two StatsSA tourism reports released in the past week and highlights from the latest
Cabinet meeting where ‘Catering and Hospitality’ were noted for its contribution to national GDP.
We close by sharing a malaria advisory for SA bound travelers; key meetings and events to note in
the week ahead and a WTTC report citing that tourism supported 1 in 10 jobs globally in 2016.
TALKING POINT: HUMAN RIGHTS & WATER
21 March commemorates arguably one of the most important public holidays in South Africa –
Human Rights Day. On the day, we take stock of what it means to have dignity, the freedoms we
enjoy, the basic rights and responsibilities we carry as human beings. This day is also known as
Sharpville and/or Langa Day, in commemoration to the sacrifices made by brave men and women
who fought for theirs and their compatriot’s freedom under the apartheid regime. On the day in
1960, police killed sixty-nine people during a peaceful anti-pass protest march in Sharpeville while
twenty-eight people were killed in Langa township in Cape Town.
The following day, 22 March is marked by the United Nations as World Water Day. The initiative
started some 24 years ago to tackle the water crisis and to highlight the plight of some 1.8 billion
people who consume contaminated and unsafe water. Fittingly, this year the official UN
coordinated World Water Day events took place in Durban under the theme ‘Water & Sanitation
is a Human Right.’ At the event, the UN World Water Development Report for 2017 was
presented. Click here to read the Executive Summary.
It starts with you: SAVE Water!
Despite Travel and Tourism’s overall global water consumption being seen ‘insignificant’
compared to other sectors such as agriculture, we continue to be conscious to challenges of water
preservation and accessibility – particularly in light of the recent drought that still persists in
various parts of the country. In line with responsible and sustainable tourism practices that many
businesses have adopted in recent years, we urge you all to continue to playing your part in
conserving water and encouraging water preservation practices in your establishments.
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FOR NOTING:
INTERNATIONAL MIGRATION POLICY – BUSINESS HAS ITS SAY
The International Migration Conference hosted by the Department of Home Affairs took place in
the past week. In his keynote address, Home Affairs Minister, Malusi Gigaba, highlighted that
South Africa was a major transit and entry point to the Continent, thus experiencing a broad mix
of people migration flows.
Through the Draft White Paper on International Migration, there exists a new and enduring policy
framework for the management of international migration to enable South Africa to competently
harvest its positive benefits (i.e. tourism, investment, influx of skilled individuals) whilst
minimizing the risks (human trafficking, crime influx, terrorism).
Click here for a DHA update on a new White Paper on international migration.
Business has its say on the Policy
As part of the BUSA delegation at NEDLAC, the TBCSA has been actively deliberating on the Green
and (current draft) White Paper on International Migration Policy – the following key issues have
been raised for further consideration:
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Whilst recognizing the benefits of a holistic, well-crafted migration policy, it is vital to give
due consideration to the financial implications and funding of the required resources;
There is a greater need for harmonised integration of legislation, policy as well as technical
and practical aspects across Ministries within government and in the Southern African
Development Community (SADC) region
There is a need for clearer objectives in terms of the type/qualification of people that the
policy seeks to allow into the country. A more comprehensive justification of migrants will
prevent abuse of the system, provide the required safety/security and further support
inclusive growth.
We will keep members updated as we engage further with all social partners on the draft
International Migration policy.
NMW – DoL LOOKS TO STRENGTHEN ITS COMPLIANCE CAPACITY
An advocacy campaign will soon be launched to assist different sectors of the economy
(employers and workers) to better understand the National Minimum Wage and its implications.
This was announced by Deputy Minister, Cyril Ramaposa during his Q&A session in Parliament.
Furthermore, the Department of Labour (DoL) has commissioned a research study on the
resourcing and the organizational capacity to monitor and enforce compliance for the NMW. This
is as a result of noting a number of organizational challenges and issues that it would need to
address prior to NMW implementation such as:
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The quality of labour inspectors. It is estimated that 60% of labour inspectors in South
Africa are unable to execute the tasks required, thus it is imperative that these
inspectors are provided with additional skills to enforce the wage
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The availability of labour inspectors. South Africa has about 1 056 inspectors working in
128 labour offices, but the distribution of these inspectors is both regionally and
sectorally skewed
The level of NMW awareness amongst employers. It was found that a lack of awareness
amongst employers about existing sectoral minimum wages resulted in a number of
violations. It is thus important to support and train employers to become compliant in
implementing the NMW.
Lastly, social partners at NEDLAC have agreed to establish the National Minimum Wage
Commission – a body which will regularly review the impact of the NMW on employment, income
levels and poverty.
We will bring you more on NMW developments as and when they occur.
EXCLUSIVE FOR MEMBERS: TSI ACCOMMODATION REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 2017
Click here to login to the secure portal and view the TSI Accommodation Report for February 2017.
Due to its sensitive nature, kindly refrain from circulating it (which is essential to encourage
more accommodation establishments to submit their data). If you can’t remember your TSI
portal login details, please email [email protected]
The TSI Monthly Accommodation Report provides an analysis on incidents reported to the TSI
online reporting portal by accommodation establishment and individual tourists. The report is
based on incidents reported.
CABINET APPRECIATES GDP CONTRIBUTION OF CATERING & ACCOMMODATION SECTORS
In recent times, we noted the increased attention Cabinet is giving to the performance and
developments within the travel and tourism sector. The latest is the recent meeting of 15 th March
2017, where Cabinet noted with appreciation the Trade, Catering and Accommodation industry’s
significant contribution (YOY increase of 2.1%) to the latest national GDP figures released by
StatsSA. It looks like this trend is going to increase and we will keep providing you with such
feedback whenever the sector is discussed in Cabinet meetings – it is after all, the central decision
making structure of Government.
Other highlights from the meeting include:
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A call by Cabinet for all South Africans to continue using water efficiently, noting the
persistent drought in the Western Cape, despite water saving strategies being
implemented;
On economic transformation, the Industrial Development Corporation’s (IDC) funding for
black industrialists amounted to R4.575bn (Q1 2015/16 - Q3 2016/17)
On investment, government through Invest SA has identified 40 high-impact projects that
are ready for implementation within the next two years. Also, support from the DTI
attracted R4bn in private-sector investment, saving and creating approximately 3 614 jobs.
The Invest SA National One-Stop-Shop was launched on 17 March in Pretoria. Click here to
read the President’s statement at the launch
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During the reporting quarter, The Department of Small Business Development supported
1 388 township enterprises and 48 co-operatives through incentives.
STATS SA REPORT: HIGHER JAN INCOME FROM TOURIST ACCOMMODATION
In the week, StatsSA also released the latest Tourist Accommodation Report for January 2017,
which shows that total income for the tourist accommodation industry increased by 3.1% in
January 2017 compared with January 2016. Will the upcoming TBCSA TBI for Q1 reveal the same?
A MALARIA ADVISORY TO SA BOUND TRAVELLERS ISSUED
News shared by colleagues from ASATA, is that the National Institute for Communicable Diseases
(NICD) has issued a malaria advisory. The advisory is cautioning travellers that South Africa is
currently in its annual malaria season. Due to Cyclone Dineo, there has also been an increase in
malaria cases in Mozambique and subsequently the north-eastern parts of South Africa. Botswana
has since also issued an advisory to travellers of an increase in malaria cases due to the recent
heavy rainfall in the country. As we approach the Easter holidays, click here to view a helpful Q&A
on malaria released by NICD.
KEY EVENTS, MEETINGS AND PUBLICATIONS IN THE WEEK AHEAD:
Meetings
28-30 March
Monetary Policy Committee meeting, SA Reserve Bank
30 March
TSI Hotel Forum Meeting, Southern Sun ORTIA
03–04 April
Local Government Tourism Conference 2017, Emperor’s Palace
Publications
28 March
29 March
30 March
StatsSA Quarterly Employment Statistics, December 2016
StatsSA Survey of Ocean (Marine) Fisheries & Related Services, 2015
StatsSA Electricity Generated & Available for Distribution, February 2017
MEMBER INVITATIONS:
SOWETO’S VILAKAZI PRECINCT STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT WITH MINISTER HANEKOM
The National Minister of Tourism, Mr. Derek Hanekom, is inviting members to participate in the
Vilakazi Precinct Ministerial Stakeholder Engagement in Soweto. Event details are as follows:
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Date: Wednesday 05 April 2017
Time: 11:00 – 14:30
Venue: Uncle Tom’s Community Hall, Orlando West, Soweto
(click here for directions)
Click here for the official invitation
The Vilakazi precinct attracts a substantial number of domestic and international tourists each
year. More can be done to preserve and enhance the contribution of such important tourism
assets.
Please note that all associations/forums are limited to 10 members. Kindly RSVP by 03 April
via email to [email protected] or [email protected]
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As always, we welcome and will embrace your feedback on the contents of this newsletter.
Yours Sincerely
Ms. Mmatšatši Ramawela
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
TRAVEL & TOURISM TRADE
ASSOCIATIONS AFFILIATED TO TBCSA