3RD LILIZELA TOURISM AWARDS SHOWCASE STRIDES OF THE TOURISM SECTOR.

Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism Sakhumzi Somyo, Winner for Emerging tourism Enterprise Year Award Ms Nomaci Qabaka and Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms Thoko Xasa

Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms Thoko Xasa , Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) Sakhumzi Somyo, together with the Chief Executive Officer for the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency were amongst the dignitaries who celebrated tourism excellence in the province during the Lilizela Tourism Awards at the Boardwalk Convention Centre, at the Nelson Mandela Bay, in Port Elizabeth on September 10^th.

The Lilizela Tourism Awards which were hosted by the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency are a platform created three years ago to recognise and celebrate tourism players and businesses that work passionately to make Eastern Cape and South Africa one of the preferred destinations of choice in the world.

They also act as a voice of the people, as direct consumers; the public are given a chance to share their experiences of the tourism offerings in the country - by voting for what they appreciate and want to see grow. This way the tourism sector is then kept competitive and continues to provide services and experiences that develop the sector within and beyond.

The awards also profile milestones and challenges of the tourism sector, with the hope that greater interest to sustain and strengthen it is generated further. The awards have grown since their inception, from 75 entries in 2013 to 190 for this year showcasing the commitment of businesses towards responsible tourism that positively impacts the country’s economic growth.

Categories awarded during the event were: service excellence, sustainable development, entrepreneurship and the coveted minister’s award that is made at the sole discretion of the National Minister of Tourism and goes to an organisation, person or event whose contribution to the industry has elevated tourism’s status as a vital sector of the national economy.

According to the Eastern Cape MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT) Sakhumzi Somyo finalists and winners did not only set the standard for global excellence, but have demonstrated why South Africa continues to be one of the most frequently visited destinations by tourists from all over the world.

During his key note address of the night, Somyo noted that the awards celebrate the best of the tourism industry’s service records and act as a benchmark for excellence across the tourism sector and play a significant role in transforming and enhancing the tourism sector itself.

“As the department that is charged with the mandate of improving the tourism sector in the province, we are proud of what the tourism products managed to achieve at the provincial level. This goes to show that our province has a huge potential and can compete with other provinces in terms of offering the best tourism products.  Our visitors from abroad as well as our local travelers have had fantastic experiences, and this is reflected in the Service Excellence category where visitors were encouraged to vote.” said Somyo

 He also went into detail explaining that the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa’s star grading is working to ensure that accommodation establishments are on par with global offering so as to contribute towards phenomenal traveler experiences. As well as to ensure opportunities in extending access to the province are addressed through developing products that encourage international tourists to increase the average number of visits and also to encourage new and existing domestic travelers to explore destinations outside of their traditional patterns.

He also pledged on behalf of his department to continue to work hard with relevant stakeholders to ensure that government creates an enabling environment for tourism establishments to prosper.

Also congratulating the winners and finalists of the night was Chief Marketing Officer, Nopasika Mxunyelwa who mentioned that the Eastern Cape is currently leading with the highest number of participants throughout the country taking position one compared to the second highest province in 2014.

She continued that the improved standard of entries received for the third Lilizela Tourism Awards is an indication of the strides that had been made by the tourism industry and an indication of the innovation, growth and motivation that is clearly prevalent in the Adventure Province.

Heartfelt congratulations goes to all of them and may they continue to elevate the tourism sector.