This matter is now concluded and we will continue working together to explore all avenues, create an environment conducive for the private sector to invest and crowd in on government initiatives within the legislative framework to grow tourism, welcome more visitors to our beautiful country and create more jobs for people in this sector.​

​It gives me such great pleasure to be here in Durban today, to launch Africa’s Travel Indaba. I must tell you just how excited I am that this is one of my first major assignments as the newly appointed Minister of Tourism.

As a country, when we enter into such massive partnerships, it is vital that we are able to be fully accountable, that we are transparent and can answer South Africans clearly and honestly. Based on the Board Chairperson’s interim response received this morning 24 March 2023, my advice to the SA Tourism Board is that the proposal may as well be stopped completely.​