Department Of Tourism Head Office

The Department of Tourism is mandated under the Tourism Act 3 of 2014 to: promote the practise of responsible tourism for the benefit of the country and for the enjoyment of all its residents and foreign visitors; provide for the effective domestic and international marketing of South Africa as a tourist destination; promote quality tourism products and services; promote growth in and development of the tourism sector; and enhance cooperation and coordination between all spheres of government in developing and managing tourism. 

The National Development Plan (NDP) is the 2030 vision for the country. It recognises tourism as one of the main drivers of employment and economic growth. Tourism is also positioned as one of the six core pillars of growth in the country’s New Growth Path (NGP) framework. The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) provides a blueprint for the tourism sector in the pursuit of growth targets contained in the NGP. Through the Department’s NTSS, the tourism sector is committed to creating a total of 225 000 jobs by the year 2020. 

The Department’s objectives include ensuring that benefits of tourism are equitably shared amongst the people of South Africa, and planning for the empowerment of youth, women, and people with disabilities through entrepreneurial participation and opportunities. The Department’s focus is on increasing competitiveness within the tourism sector in South Africa. 

In the medium term, the Department aims to increase investment in the tourism sector, increase inbound tourism, entrench a culture of tourism amongst South Africans, and increase the sector’s contribution to job creation and economic growth.

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