Coastal and Marine Implementation Plan approved by Cabinet

The Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa.

The Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa.

Published Aug 18, 2017

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CAPE TOWN - The Coastal and Marine Tourism (CMT) will advance with the Nine-Point Plan through Operation Phakisa’s Oceans Economy following the go ahead of Cabinet.  

The Implementation Plan led by the Department of Tourism was developed in partnership with various tourism stakeholders.  The aim of the plan is to grow a world class and sustainable coastal and marine tourism destination that leverages South Africa’s competitive advantage in nature, culture, and heritage.

 

“The coastal and marine tourism sector will contribute about R21.4 billion to the GDP and create about 116 000 direct jobs by 2026, thus reducing poverty, inequality and unemployment, while contributing to sustainable livelihoods and development.  These estimates are conservative as they are growing off a low 2015 base of R 11.9 billion direct contribution to GDP and 64 400 direct jobs,” said The Minister of Tourism Tokozile Xasa.

 

The Coastal and Marine Tourism Plan will be implemented in a nodal or cluster approach which will prioritise destinations rather than individual tourism projects or products. The identified nodes/clusters in the First Phase (0 - 5 years) encompass the following geographic areas:

Node 1: Durban and surrounds (KwaZulu-Natal);

Node 2: Umkhanyakude District including Umhlabuyalingana and surrounds (KwaZulu-Natal);

Node 3: Port St Johns to Coffee Bay (Eastern Cape);

Node 4:  East London, Port Elizabeth and surrounds (Eastern Cape);

Node 5: Cape Town and surrounds (Western Cape); and

Node 6:  West Coast and surrounds (Northern Cape).

 

Initiatives taking placein within these nodes will focus on the following main points : 

1. Marketing, events and routes

 2. Regulations and permitting 

3. Research and spatial planning 

4. Beach precinct development, tourism infrastructure and tourism safety 

5 Maritime tourism and 

6. Skills development.

 

Over the last year, three initiatives, namely Blue Flag Beaches Programme, Boat Based Whale Watching and Shark Cage Diving and Off Road Vehicle 4X4 Beach Driving have commenced. These initiatives will continue to be taken forward in the First Phase Implementation Plan.

-BUSINESS REPORT ONLINE

 

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