The recently gazetted White Paper on the Development and Promotion of tourism in South Africa, 1996 (the “Tourism Paper”), signifies an important milestone in the government’s efforts to revitalise the South African tourism industry. The Tourism Paper was gazetted on 4 October 2024 and provides recommendations for leveraging tourism to drive environmental preservation, cultural enrichment, and economic progress.

In essence, the Tourism Paper functions as a guide for realising South Africa's enormous tourism potential. It tackles issues of the present while establishing audacious objectives for the future. The goal of the policy is to transform the tourism industry by generating employment opportunities, promoting increased cross-cultural understanding, and expanding the economy.

The Role of Tourism in the Economy

Policy makers recognise the untapped economic potential of tourism in South Africa. They acknowledge the sector as being a key player in the nation's economic recovery and development strategy. The World Travel and Tourism Council reported that tourism contributed 9.5% to South Africa's GDP in 2019, underscoring its importance as a pilar for economic growth.

The tourism sector has demonstrated resiliency, recovering from the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and contributing 8.2% of the country’s total GDP in 2023. This rebound demonstrates the industry's ability to reinforce South Africa's economy and could well snowball through not only the tourism industry, but various other industries as well should the Tourism Paper's guidance be put into practice.

South Africa is considered a top tourist destination due to its distinctive combination of contemporary infrastructure, cultural history, and biodiversity. Building on these elements, the Tourism Paper provides encouragement for focused expenditure relating to infrastructure development, marketing, and increased safeguards for tourists. With an emphasis on important markets in Europe and North America, these efforts aim to attract an increasing number of foreign tourists to South Africa.

Unlocking Local Communities Potential

A recurring topic in the Tourism Paper is the importance of involving local communities and historically disadvantaged groups in the tourism industry. The Tourism Paper acknowledges tourism as an opportunity to bridge historical inequalities by promoting local entrepreneurship, specifically focused on underserved rural areas. This aligns with the national goal of leveraging tourism as an instrument for expediting rural development and poverty alleviation, thus assuring the strengthening of tourism nationally.

The Tourism Paper promotes inclusive growth by encouraging active participation by small, medium and micro enterprises) in the tourism value chain, whether through guesthouses, local guides, or artisanal crafts. Responsible tourism is highlighted as a cornerstone for future development, ensuring that local communities benefit economically from the industry’s expansion. This not only empowers local entrepreneurs but also enriches the tourism experience by offering authentic cultural engagements and products, positioning South Africa as a unique destination on the global stage.

Environment and Cultural Preservation

The emphasis placed on sustainable and responsible tourism by the Tourism Paper, underscores the need for environmental conservation being at the forefront of tourism development. South Africa’s diverse ecosystems, national parks, and wildlife reserves are significant tourist attractions. Protecting these valued ecosystems is crucial, a motive strongly supported by the theme of responsible tourism throughout the Tourism Paper. Well-managed tourism will help preserve these natural resources for future generations while also creating economic value.

Identifying ecotourism as a high-potential niche for advancement, the Tourism Paper taps into the increasing global demand for environmentally friendly travel options. South Africa’s leadership in this space would not only attract international visitors but also set a global standard for ecotourism, positioning the country as a pioneer in sustainable tourism development.

Infrastructure Development

A critical barrier identified within the Tourism Paper is the lack of infrastructure in South Africa’s rural areas. This limits both the growth of tourism and the participation of local communities. In an effort to overcome these inefficiencies, policymakers call for increased support and accelerated development of transportation networks, telecommunications, and accommodation facilities that can meet the needs of international and domestic tourists alike. Improved infrastructure anticipates significant boosts in tourism in underdeveloped regions of the country, enabling easier access to remote natural and cultural sites. These investments will facilitate access to transport, enabling tourists to explore beyond South Africa’s well-known urban destinations, thus offering a more diverse and enriched experience.

Opportunities for International Collaboration

Policymakers highlight the need for regional and international cooperation in expediting tourism development. As a member of the Southern African Development Community, South Africa is well-positioned to collaborate with neighbouring countries on joint tourism ventures, creating regional tourism circuits that offer a unique and diverse range of experiences. Such collaboration will be crucial in attracting tourists who wish to explore multiple destinations in Africa.

The Tourism Paper further encourages foreign investment in South Africa’s tourism sector, offering incentives to attract international business expertise, technology, and capital to support local tourism development.

The Tourism Paper acknowledges expected obstacles to achieving this ambition, including violence, insufficient training, and environmental degradation, even as it offers a hopeful and ambitious vision for South Africa's tourism industry. It will be imperative to address these issues if South Africa is to realise its full tourism potential. A proactive strategy to address these problems is outlined in The Tourism Paper. This includes strengthening visitor safety, strengthening training and education programs, and guaranteeing environmental sustainability.

Despite the obstacles, the long-term impact of effectively implementing the strategies outlined in the Tourism Paper can be transformative. By addressing safety concerns, improving infrastructure, stabilising the economy, promoting environmental sustainability, and ensuring inclusivity, South Africa can unlock its full tourism potential. This will not only drive economic growth but also foster sustainable development, benefiting both local communities and the environment.

Authored by Deepna Desai (Associate) and Monique Bezuidenhout (Candidate attorney) in South Africa.