announcements, tablings and committee reports - Parliament of ...

4880 [Tuesday, 29 October 2013social media platform such as Trip Advisor which is a positivecontribution to marketing endeavours. The exclusion ofemerging tourism enterprises in the grading scheme due tounaffordable prices means the emerging enterprises are losingleverage on extended social media marketing.It is recommended that the Grading Council develops incentivesto entice more properties to enroll in the scheme and ensurethat emerging tourism enterprises also benefit from the gradingscheme.8.2.9 Community-Based tourism development - participation oflocal communities in the tourism industry remains minimal.Community-based tourism endeavours in most communitieshave failed due to poor implementation models. The publicprivatepartnership (PPP) tourism toolkit has not been fullyactualized in the industry. The National Department of Tourism,municipalities, and other public entities need to enter intomeaningful agreements and partnerships in activating the PPPTourism Toolkit. The National Treasury has indicatedwillingness to work with the National Department of Tourism inpiloting some PPP tourism projects and the full extent of thisopportunity must be explored.It is recommended that the Department engages ProtectedAreas Management Authorities as custodians of some valuabletourism assets that could be utilized in the PPP projects topartner with communities in developing community-basedtourism projects.8.2.10 Transformation - the Committee observed with concern thattransformation in the tourism industry is not taking place at anacceptable rate. The committee acknowledges the gains madein transformation with regard to the Tourism BEE Scorecardthat has not translated into success that is visible in the sector.However, transformation at that level has not translated intomeaningful and visible transformation in the tourism industry.It is recommended that the National Treasury increases thebudget of the Department to allow them to develop innovativeways of expediting transformation of the sector.8.2.11 Indaba as premier African consumer show - effectiveness ofIndaba as a premier African tourism show remains a concern.Issues about the value for money, price of the stands, andtransactions have been raised by stakeholders in the sector.The lack of a long term strategy for the events and the size ofthe venue also remain critical issues. Observations have beenalso made that some African countries are also developing theirown tourism trade shows similar to Indaba and this is creatingcompetition for South Africa.ANNOUNCEMENTS, TABLINGS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS NO 147─2013