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Cape Town - Tourism industry professionals were charged with reinventing to remain relevant by the Board of Cape Town Tourism at the organisation’s AGM held at the Century City Conference Centre on Thursday.
Reinvention is essential, it was stated, in order for Cape Town’s tourism sector to capitalise on the extensive opportunities the city has as a world-class tourist destination.
The AGM was held as the industry is enjoying successes over the past year, as well as what Cape Town Tourism CEO Enver Duminy predicted is going to be a bumper year. Quoting forecasts by data analysts Forward Keys based on pre-season bookings, Duminy said that the city is looking at a 14% increase in visitors for high season.
“We are fortunate enough to have this firm foundation on which to build the tourism sector, and I would recommend to any tourism professional that they examine what more can be done to add value to what is already a valuable offering. Reinvention goes hand-in-hand with innovation; global visitors expect world-class experiences, and we are here to provide those, both in the busy season and all year round,” said Duminy.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events & Economic Development Eddie Andrews said: “Destinations need to constantly innovate to remain relevant in a world that is driven by information in the palm of a hand. I am pleased that Cape Town’s tourism industry has demonstrated resilience in spite of the global and local challenges. Our partners have done us proud once more, but there is always more work to be done. So, collectively let’s maintain the upward trajectory and continue to build on our successes.”
Three new board members, chosen by Cape Town Tourism’s members, were announced, namely Brett Hendricks (Thebe Tourism Group); Chantelle Cole (V&A Waterfront) and Julie-May Ellingson (Cape Town International Convention Centre).
The board, headed up by chairperson Enver Mally, has its challenges to face: with tourism gaining ground in the city, all eyes are on the strategies which will ensure that the influx of visitors and the economic impact they bring with them can be corralled into a sustainable form, so that job creation runs in tandem with employment sustainability.
“I am proud to say we have a great board and team, and together we are striving to remain relevant in an ever-changing world by reinvention and by paying it forward through initiatives like our Board Development Fund Programme; together we can accomplish so much more," said Mally.
The Board Development Fund is awarded each year to two SMMEs in tourism to enable them to develop and grow their businesses. The call for applications for the 2017 award will go out shortly, and is expected to generate much interest from up-and-coming tourism businesses.
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