Gauteng National Tourism Expo closes on a high note
“Tourism sits up there with sectors such as ICT, manufacturing, finance and mining, it also contributes greatly to Gauteng’s GDP and GDP of South Africa."
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela recently opened the 2023 National Tourism Career Expo (NTCE) at Joburg Expo Centre, Nasrec.
Thousands of learners and educators from across the country were invited to come and engage directly with tourism curricula experts and sector stakeholders at the three day showcase of tourism vocations and opportunities.
Addressing guests at the National Tourism Career Expo, Tasneem Motara said the Gauteng Provincial Government has identified 10 high growth sectors for economic inclusion and expansion and tourism is one of them.
ALSO READ: Career Day Expo held at Kiddies Hope Academy
“Tourism sits up there with sectors such as ICT, manufacturing, finance and mining, it also contributes greatly to Gauteng’s GDP and GDP of South Africa.
“We are going to focus on economic support for these sectors through additional policy imperatives and guidance, additional funding support, infrastructure support and establishing partnerships,” said Motara.
Motara added that hosting NTCE over the past three years had been a learning experience and a privilege to interact with learners and teachers. This two way process underlined the importance of the NTCE.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela said tourism had come a long way from the precipice it faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and international travel was making a great come back as per statistics reported by StatsSA.
ALSO READ: Local Expo closes Youth Month in style
He continued to say that the optimal rejuvenation of tourism will require an inclusive and transformative approach that ensures that all, in particular the youth and women enjoy the benefits of the success of the sector.
“As government our approach to a skill revolution is to assist people to upskill and future proof themselves in the light of this fast changing work environment to mitigate the impact of triple challenges of poverty unemployment and inequality,” said Mahlalela.
The primary objective of the Expo is to provide comprehensive career guidance to learners and student from Grade 9 to 12, as well as to those in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and universities alongside unemployed graduate.
ALSO READ: Local learners inspired in career expo
“I have learned a lot about tourism and it is a good career if you are invested in it but personally I don’t feel like tourism is the career path for me. I want to pursue something that is not related to tourism,” said one of the learners who attended the Expo, Kurtlee Sinclaire.
