Economic Sector Support: Sector research and events: Tourism Month 2023

CELEBRATING WORLD TOURISM DAY

Tourism Month is held annually in September with World Tourism Day being celebrated on 27 September each year. In 2023, the official World Tourism Day celebrations will be hosted in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the theme "Tourism and Green Investments". UNWTO has identified investments as one of the key priorities for tourism's recovery and future growth and development. For World Tourism Day 2023, UNWTO highlights the need for more and better-targeted investments for people, for the planet, and for prosperity.

In South Africa, tourism month festivities are held throughout the country, culminating with the World Tourism Day celebrations being held in the North West Province this year. Tourism Month provides a platform for the South African sector to celebrate, reflect and commemorate its milestones in relation to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

ENJOY WHAT THE WESTERN CAPE HAS TO OFFER

In the Western Cape, Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunites, which includes Tourism, Mireille Wenger, officially inaugurated Tourism Month 2023 in Plettenberg Bay. "This Tourism Month, I encourage our local, domestic as well as international visitors to explore our stunning province because there really is something for everyone in the Western Cape. If you are looking for adventure climbing or cycling, kayaking, or paragliding, or slow walks along the beautiful coast, it's here in the Western Cape. We have so many culinary, heritage, and cultural experiences to meaningfully share the rich history and promising future of this province. And we can all play our part in growing our economy and growing jobs, by simply enjoying the Western Cape and all it has to offer, for a better tomorrow for all the people of our province" said Minister Wenger.

To read the full media statement click here.

EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL: DISCOVERING THE WESTERN CAPE RESPONSIBLY

The Western Cape boasts several establishments that are actively adopting sustainable practices. A list of sustainable tourism establishments has been carefully curated into three categories i.e. Nature Reserves, Accommodation, and Restaurants/Wine Estates, and submitted to South African Tourism (SAT). SAT will be participating in the Green Destinations Top 100 global competition on Sustainability and Green Tourism for 2024. Their aim is to have 100 different content pieces of sustainable stories across South Africa at the end of February 2024. More establishments will be added to the current list. Click here to read more about their sustainable practices.