The TravelGround Blog

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A rant about politics, stability and South African tourism:

As those of us in the tourism industry know, South Africa’s stability (or perceived stability) bears direct relation to our ability to attract international tourists. And we need those international tourists, for all of our sakes. With Tourism bringing in over 8% of South Africa’s annual GDP, I hope that government will give this sector the attention it deserves after the upcoming elections.

Our national encounter with xenophobia not too long ago demonstrated the travel industry’s susceptibility to public opinion well. With SA’s ominous dominance of international headlines came a decline in visitors. And fewer visitors to sunny South Africa meant that we started to fall shorter and shorter of our previously predicted growth rates.

Traditionally the mining industry, one of the country’s economic strongholds, has been resilient in tough times. Even in the current global economic crisis, no one can doubt that resources will be amongst the first to bounce back. But trying to remain a credible travel destination at a time like this is a tougher job – and yet attracting tourists may be equally lucrative. While resources can only be mined cheaply in so many places, travelers can go anywhere. Tourists don’t have to travel to South Africa, they come here because we make it a pleasure. Travelers can go to any number of places for a good vacation, but what we’re offering is a fantastic holiday, full of varied cultural and natural wonders – all at reasonable rates.

So what will be the deciding factor for your next vacation? Political stability. If an enquiring holiday-maker likes what we have to offer, then the only thing that could drive them away is our political situation. After South Africa’s national elections on Wednesday, lots of power and responsibility will to be assumed by the winning party, and it has to be used wisely. Anyone with a head on their shoulders knows that South Africa needs tourism to grow as fast as possible – and tourism needs stability to put down roots.