Chairperson, according to statistics released by Statistics SA for 2007, this year saw the highest number of recorded arrivals for the first five months of this year since 1998.
The increase in arrivals from across all the regions of the world and in particular air markets reflects not only the growing awareness of South Africa as a tourism destination but also the success of the airlift strategy passed by the Cabinet last year. That resulted in increased access to the South African market for foreign carriers. International tourists are important but local tourists are just as important and, therefore, we need to nurture our domestic market.
During the special dinner to celebrate women's month and saluting women in tourism, Minister Van Schalkwyk said, "This is the inspiration for our gathering this evening as we celebrate women's month and salute women in tourism on the eve of a national tourism month".
The empowerment of women has been at the forefront of our national liberation struggle. During national women's month, we remember the integral role that women played in the struggle to rid our country of the injustices of the past and we celebrate the role that they continue to play in the entrenchment of democracy in our society, today. Through our social responsibility programme, we have created 7 511 job opportunities for women in tourism-related projects over the past three years. In total, through the help of tourism enterprise programmes, 911 ...
I, therefore, wish to salute the women of South Africa and the world! [Time expired.] [Applause.]