Tourism Month 2018

Tourism Month is celebrated annually in September, and provides a heightened month-long focus on the importance of the sector to the South African economy. 

Tourism Month features themed activities that are aligned to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation’s (UNWTO) World Tourism Day Celebrations that take place annually on 27 September.

The 2018 UNWTO theme for World Tourism Day is Tourism and the Digital Transformation, and it highlights the need for increased investment in digital technologies to create an environment for innovation and entrepreneurship in tourism. 

South Africa has adapted the UNWTO theme to Inclusive and Quality Growth of the Tourism Sector Through Digital Transformation, to encourage travellers to explore the country, whilst fostering an awareness of the socio-economic benefits of technological advances in creating opportunities to improve inclusiveness, community empowerment and efficient resource management in the sector. 

This year’s Tourism Month activities are hosted in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Province – the birthplace of former President Nelson Mandela and Mama Albertina Sisulu. As we celebrate their centenary and legacy, we encourage all travellers to take a Sho’t Left and visit the sights connected to these great icons.  

TOURISM MONTH ACTIVITIES:

NATIONAL TOURISM CAREERS EXPO (NTCE) 2018 MEDIA LAUNCH & IMBIZO:

The NTCE provides a platform for the sector to create awareness about tourism careers and prospects, whilst offering the youth and unemployed graduates an opportunity to interact with potential employers. Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms. Elizabeth Thabethe, along with the MEC of Tourism in the North West Province Ms. Desbo Mohono and Acting CEO of CATHSSETA Ms. Keitumetse Lebaka will brief media about the NTCE that will take place from 28 to 30 September 2018.  

Event details:
 
Date: 06 September 2018
Time: 10:00 – 14:30
Venue: Taung Hotel School – North West Province


SHARE YOUR WORLD OF TOURISM COMPETITION

Enter the Share Your World of Tourism competition and win a Sho’t Left experience. Use hashtag - #IDoTourism and post a picture or video of you enjoying a tourism attraction or cultural experience in your area, and tell us why you think it is an ideal Sho’t Left experience for potential visitors. Sign-off your post by telling us which destination you would love to take a Sho’t Left to in the Eastern Cape. Winners will be announced on World Tourism Day on 27 September 2018.  

Competition details: 

Competition Duration: 03 – 25 September 2018 

Follow and Tag the Department on the following social media platforms to enter the competition: 
Facebook: @Department of Tourism; Twitter: @Tourism_gov_za; Instagram: departmentoftourism_; YouTube: TourismRSA


WORLD TOURISM DAY CELEBRATIONS

The Department in collaboration with the Eastern Cape Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (DEDEA), and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA) will host the World Tourism Day Celebrations on 27 September 2018 in the Mthatha – Eastern Cape. 

Event details: 

Date: 27 September 2018
Time: 09:00 – 16:00
Venue: Luchaba Nature Resort (Mthatha) – Eastern Cape Province


This ground-breaking initiative by South African Tourism will see a host of trade partners, airlines, hotel groups and tour operators offering generous discounts during the week starting 24 September 2018. This initiative underpins the strategy to give South Africans access, in a bigger better way, to the breadth of South Africa’s tourism offering than ever before. 

Details: 

Date: 24 – 30 September 2018
Website: visit www.shotleft.co.za for great holiday deals 


The Department in collaboration with Culture, Arts, Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Sector Education and Training Authority (CATHSSETA) and North West Tourism will host the 2018 NTCE. More than 7000 learners from all over the country are expected to descend to the North West Province to attend the expo themed Tourism and the Digital Transformation.

Event details: 

Date: 28 – 30 September 2018
Time: 09:00 – 16:00
Venue: Sun City Resort - North West Province

TOURISM MONTH PROVINCIAL EVENTS

 
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