SA’s tourism jewels to be awarded
According to the South African Tourism CEO, tourism has, more than any other sector, the potential to act as an engine for growth in South Africa.
ENTRIES for outstanding businesses in the tourism industry opened on 1 March as preparations are underway for the fifth annual Lilizela Tourism Awards. The awards acknowledge the best in the tourism sector and is an initiative of the National Department of Tourism and are spearheaded by South African Tourism.
South African Tourism CEO Sisa Ntshona said: “The criteria for the awards are constantly being refined, through ongoing consultation and feedback surveys, to ensure that hospitality establishments, venues, service providers and tourism attractions meet industry and traveller requirements. Because of the annual review that will follow each awards ceremony, entries will open in March from this year onwards.”
Ntshona said that as a result of the most recent review, sustainability and contribution to inclusive growth have become important considerations in the adjudication process.
“South African Tourism’s main objective is to work with the industry in contributing towards inclusive growth while helping to grow new players into the industry. The importance of transforming tourism and its feeder industries cannot be understated. This is why the awards are encouraging tourism businesses to embed a culture of inclusion in their DNA. Tourism has, more than any other sector, the potential to act as an engine for growth in South Africa. This includes the potential to create employment, generate foreign exchange, encourage entrepreneurship and act as a driver for other sectors of the economy,” Ntshona added.
Entries close on 31 May 2017. Visit www.lilizela.co.za for more details, or follow @Lilizela_Awards on Twitter.
