Harnessing Connections For Economic Growth And Job Creation

Molweni. Muraho. Jambo. Sawubona. These greetings are just some of the diverse tongues of nations gathered at World Travel Market Africa last week and remind us of the rich tapestry of cultures that define this magnificent continent we proudly call home.

We stand united in our quest to harness the transformative power of tourism, aiming to spur economic growth, job creation, and prosperity across Africa.

In an era marked by challenges be it war, famine, extreme weather, or economic trials it is imperative we look beyond the hurdles.

The Western Cape brings a message of optimism and readiness: we are open.

Open for tourism, open for investment, and open to collaborate with our fellow regions and countries.

Our mission is clear: to facilitate a conducive environment for both budding and established businesses, thereby catalysing job creation.

At the heart of our endeavours lies our Growth for Jobs (G4J) Strategy, a comprehensive economic action plan that outlines a roadmap to this ambitious future. G4J is underpinned by seven pillars, one of which aims to double tourism by 2035.

The Western Cape Government is dedicated to nurturing a flourishing private sector. To do this, we are guided by our vision to propel the province into a R1 trillion (48.8bn) economy, rich in jobs, inclusive, resilient, thriving, and diverse, with an annual growth rate of 4-6% by 2035.

Our strategy is focused on enhancing the factors of production, and it has been crafted in close collaboration with the private sector. After all, we know that it is the private sector that is the engine of job creation; our role as government is to enable this process.

An integral part of our bold vision is to elevate private sector investment from 13% of our GDP in 2019 to 20% by 2035, valued at R200 billion (9.7bn).

This goal underlines our commitment to enhancing investment facilitation and support, fostering a supportive ecosystem of collaboration, and optimising our export environment.

Home to a vibrant economy, world-class infrastructure and a gateway to Africa, the province offers unparalleled advantages. Our emphasis on clean governance has yielded the best audit outcomes nationally, ensuring that investments translate directly into impactful services and development.

Our status as a top tourism destination is undisputed, with Cape Town's global recognition and the province's burgeoning tourism numbers testament to a destination in demand. Efforts to enhance air connectivity have borne fruit, significantly increasing international arrivals and showcasing our commitment to facilitating seamless travel.

Our successes are not ours alone but a testament to the power of collaboration.

Working alongside private-sector partners like the award-winning Cape Town Air Access team powered by Wesgro, we have expanded our air route network, ensuring the Western Cape remains a prime destination for travellers worldwide. The Western Cape is a key connection point into the rest of Africa. Since 2015, Cape Town and the Western Cape have been connected directly to ten new African destinations, bringing the total cross-border African destinations served out of Cape Town to 15, with 11 operating airlines.

It is also easier than ever to fly direct into Cape Town, with 215 international flights a week coming into the award-winning Cape Town International Airport.

As we look to the future, our focus remains on dismantling barriers to success, improving our visa regime, expanding airport capacities and, importantly, working closely with all stakeholders to realise our shared ambitions.

The path ahead, strengthened by our collective efforts, promises not only to enrich the Western Cape but to propel South Africa and the African continent towards a brighter, more prosperous future.

Together, we can welcome more visitors and unlock the boundless potential of Africa's tourism sector, creating a legacy of growth and job creation for generations to come.