After the Parliamentary elections in South Africa, which saw the ruling African National Congress return to power, but losing majority for the first time since independence, President Cyril Ramaphosa has named his cabinet for the second term and in a key move, he has retained Patricia de Lille as Minister of Tourism.

Her re-appointment comes as boost to South African tourism as de Lille led the tourism industry from the front, providing it a major boost following dramatic fall during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Minister was very vocal and proactive in taking initiatives to ensure that the tourism industry rebounded as strongly and as fast as possible.

According to tourism industry stakeholders in South Africa, the decision to retain de Lille comes at a crucial time for the country’s tourism sector, which is showing strong signs of recovery post-pandemic.

With international tourism expected to fully rebound in 2024, South Africa’s tourism industry is poised to capitalise on increased global demand and improved air connectivity. The country has seen a notable uptick in flight routes and frequencies from major international carriers, enhancing its accessibility to overseas travellers.

According to South African Tourism, the first four months of 2024 have already shown promising results, with a significant 11.1 pc increase in international tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023, totalling 3.2 million visitors.

De Lille’s re-appointment is seen as a move to maintain continuity in tourism policies and build on the momentum gained in recent months. Her ministry is expected to focus on sustainable tourism practices, improving infrastructure, and enhancing South Africa’s competitiveness as a global travel destination.

Nombulelo Guliwe

In a press statement, South African Tourism says it extends heartfelt congratulations to De Lille on her re-appointment as Minister of Tourism and to Maggie Sotyu on her appointment as Deputy Minister of Tourism.

“We eagerly anticipate continuing our collaboration with Minister De Lille to advance and expand the tourism sector, fulfilling our mission to increase travel to and within South Africa, thereby contributing to inclusive economic growth,” says Nombulelo Guliwe, Chief Executive Officer of SA Tourism.

Guliwe emphasised that with international tourism expected to fully recover in 2024, driven by strong demand, enhanced air connectivity, and the continued recovery of China and other major Asian markets, SA Tourism looks forward to working with Minister De Lille to create an enabling environment for the sector’s growth through collaboration with various stakeholders.

“Our country boasts natural beauty, rich culture, stunning landscapes, an incredible array of tourism offerings, warm hospitality, and quality-assured facilities and establishments,” she said.

Guliwe also expressed gratitude to outgoing Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela.

“I would like to extend my thanks to Ntate Mahlalela for his leadership during his term as Deputy Minister of Tourism. As a destination marketing organisation, we greatly benefited from his support in growing our Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, also known as business events. Ntate Mahlalela also spearheaded the efforts of The Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), the custodians of our nation’s quality assurance and service excellence,” says Guliwe.