Message from the CEO – article from Tourism Talk Newsletter – March 2021

I am happy to be writing to you as the entity heads into a new financial year. With all the challenges we have faced as a sector during this time, our outlook for recovery remains steadfast. Plans are in place to go full throttle on promoting the Eastern Cape as a preferred destination.

Plans include collaborating with the private sector to share all the amazing stories and initiatives you have on the ground that make the Eastern Cape the gem it is.  Large scale marketing and PR campaigns will be rolled out on a national scale to further cement the Eastern Cape as the place with anthemic experiences to grow domestic tourism. The opening up of restrictions through Level 1 could not have come at a better time. After the festive season and school holidays, Easter is the third biggest tourism period – an opportunity we should all grab with both hands.

We need to ensure that we come out on the other side of the pandemic’s dire effects that will be felt long after it’s gone.  Many businesses in the tourism and hospitality industry have had to close up shop, while the rest battle to stay afloat. Despite this, the tourism industry remains a vital part of the provincial economy. Sub-sectors such as travel services, transport, accommodation and entertainment contributed 18% of the provincial GDP in 2018.

I would like to plead with all of you to continue working with us towards a sustainable future of travel that is safe, secure, seamless and provides an authentic and meaningful experience to the traveller across the journey; one which supports the livelihoods of our people and contributes to sustainable economic growth.  I am also very proud of the strides of the Eastern Cape government and private sector collaborations endorsing protocols and common standards to ensure the safety of the sector workforce and that of the tourists as we transition into the ‘new normal’.

The ECPTA will continue taking steps to leverage opportunities that will reboot the tourism economy on an even stronger, fairer, and more sustainable footing.  These include ensuring sector access to relief funds as well as working towards the steady advancement and development of tourism in our rural areas through investment support into facilities, services, and programmes.

Our natural resources and abundant natural spaces make Eastern Cape a capable battleground to effectively fight the spread of Covid. May we all enjoy Easter differently. Eastern Cape is ours to explore.

– Vuyani Dayimani  |  Chief Executive Officer  |  Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency