The internationally recognised Tourism Sentiment Index (TSI) has ranked four tourism destinations in the DA-governed Western Cape as their top 100 Most Loved Destinations in the World list. TSI ranked Knysna as 19, Stellenbosch as 23, Hermanus as 41 and Cape Town as 54.
Clearly the concerted work by the Western Cape’s Department of Economic Development and Tourism on concentrating on maximising tourism across the province is paying off.
Statistics indicate that domestic travellers recovered at 66% between November and December of 2021. Comparing statistics over the same period in the year before, the recovery was at 41%. The TSI ranking is a result of the analysis of data of more than 1.6 billion online conversations and content regarding an astronomical 21 330 destinations worldwide. These rankings are even more impressive considering that the last year the country endured a tourism decimating lockdown period.
Sadly no tourism destinations from other parts of the country have been included in the TSI. This exclusion highlights the lack of commitment and forward planning by ANC-led provincial governments to grow local tourism in order to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
The DA will be writing to Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to highlight this fact and to encourage her to discuss this matter with the respective provincial MECs responsible for tourism.
South Africa is rich in natural and historic attractions, unfortunately there seems to be a lack of political will to put in the work to preserve and market these sites to international and local visitors.
Manny de Freitas MP – DA Shadow Minister of Tourism