South Africa has presented a pipeline of 15 tourism infrastructure investment opportunities with a potential value of R3.5 billion. The projects were showcased at the Tourism Infrastructure Investment Summit (SATIS) in Johannesburg on 1 October, with the Department of Tourism publishing its media statement the following day.
Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille said the summit brought together government, project owners, investors and financiers to advance a sustainable pipeline for the sector. The department described tourism as a major source of investment, jobs and inclusive economic growth. UN Tourism Senior Investment Specialist Juan Gómez García also said strong tourism demand could create a foundation for further infrastructure investment.
The pipeline is intended to support South Africa’s tourism offer and create opportunities for communities along the value chain. The North West separately submitted 11 projects valued at R1.2 billion. These will first go through a screening process before being added to the summit’s investment booklet.
The announcement comes as demand for South Africa continues to strengthen. The department said Statistics South Africa had recorded more than one million international tourists in August; it also pointed to the Electronic Travel Authorisation system and a R6.5 million investment in a Tourism Route Development Marketing Plan as measures supporting the destination’s competitiveness.
SATIS places infrastructure at the centre of South Africa’s tourism strategy, thus, linking new investment with regional development, employment and the ability to convert visitor demand into longer-term economic value.
