Tourism is a collaborative business

THIS issue of Imvaba (NMBT's e-newsletter) screams out one very important message: “Tourism is a collaborative business!”

The reports - all about tourism - cover a wide variety of topics that include street cleaners; industrial and economic development; trade and investment; the maritime sector; safety and security; public sector endorsement and involvement; destination marketing; conferences; private sector; events; sport; leisure; heritage; culture and last but by no means least, people.

For tourism to survive and thrive - especially in such hard economic times - everyone needs to be on board to not only market destinations, but also develop and maintain attractions, infrastructure and amenities. At the end of the day only when people take ownership of tourism by being dedicated and driven, do they truly make it their business. This in turn provides communities in Nelson Mandela Bay with business opportunities that will lead to sustaining and creating jobs, making turnover and hopefully profit. One only has to consider for evidence the statistics and facts presented by Tourism Minister Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk that the direct tourism contribution contributes immensely to the country’s gross domestic product - a whopping R84,3billion in 2011. NMBT’s members - a group of people - who not only believe in the organisation but also the city and tourism industry, certainly come to mind as dedicated and brave individuals who have made tourism their business.

And, as we continue in our partnership together, NMBT trusts we can continue to grow the industry into becoming a collaborative business - from taxi driver and street cleaner to high-powered politicians, industrials and investors.
Shortly we will be venturing into a new financial year. I trust that in partnership with members and stakeholders NMBT will have a fruitful and eventful next 12 months during which there is clear evidence that tourism is in fact a collaborative business.