South Africa has a new Minister of Tourism. Industry leaders are already reaching out to welcome her, simultaneously outlining what they believe her first priorities should be in her new tenure.

On Monday night (March 6), President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the highly anticipated Cabinet reshuffle which, amongst others, saw former of Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia de Lille, appointed to the portfolio of Minister of Tourism.

Many members of the industry were quick to share on social media that “Aunty Pat” was an interesting choice, with some noting that she would hopefully bring a renewed energy and focus to the position.

“On behalf of SATSA we extend our congratulations to Minister de Lille. We look forward to working closely with her and the Department of Tourism to advance tourism in the country through meaningful structured engagement so that more South Africans directly experience the benefit that tourism can bring to the economy,” said co-Chair of inbound industry association, SATSA, Oupa Pilane.

He added: “We are also grateful that there is continuity within the Department of Tourism with Mr Amos Fish Mahlalela remaining as Deputy Minister. We thank him for his continued service in this role.”

Chair of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Blacky Komani – while welcoming De Lille’s appointment and thanking outgoing Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu – noted that De Lille’s new tenure brought with it expectation and hope from the private sector that they would become the number-one patron of the tourism industry.

“Along with becoming the chief ambassador of South African tourism, we would like to see the Minister place a heavy focus on the following key objectives. We believe these will help the country achieve its stated targets of 21 million arrivals by 2030, thus enabling economic growth,” said Komani.

These objectives are:

• See the introduction of a fully automated world-class e-Visa with improved airport e-infrastructure
• Waive visas for more source markets
• Introduce critical skills visas, temporary work visas
• Address vehicle licensing backlogs
• Ensure additional funds for tourism marketing
• Drive private-public partnerships to radically improve and implement marketing – especially in key growth markets
• Focus on investment incentives

National Chair for hospitality association, FEDHASA, Rosemary Anderson, in welcoming the new appointment, said: “We look forward to working with her and unlocking the enormous potential that tourism holds for South Africa.

“We trust that Minister de Lille's appointment will be a catalyst for change, moving tourism forward by overcoming the current stumbling blocks and facilitating new opportunities for growth, such as the provision of digital nomad visas and the long-awaited eVisa system.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: What are your thoughts on the new Minister? What should her priorities be in her new tenure? Let us know in the comments or by emailing adelem@nowmedia.co.za