Hon Chairperson, hon Minister, hon Deputy Minister, hon members, Tourism is one of the departments being weaned off another department. Finally, the importance of tourism is being recognised. We acknowledge that it is one of the larger contributors to GDP, now larger than mining. It is the fastest growing industry in South Africa. Tourism is at a critical point now where it needs to do the final preparations for 2010 and ensure that there is a legacy beyond this epic event.
The question is: How tourism ready, or how 2010 ready, are we now? At Cape Town International Airport I stood in five queues for an hour and a half last Friday morning, eventually to get onto a plane. I stood amongst the Confederations Cup and the Lions tour supporters and it was one disastrous event, from the first flight to the very last flight. Is Tourism to blame? I think not. Tourism does not stand alone to promote South Africa during the Fifa World Cup next year.
The soon-to-be-completed new terminals at Cape Town and Durban airports still have to be fully tested under stressful situations. SAA flights are late and luggage often flies in different directions to the passengers. Access roads are incomplete, crime is rife, and there is practically no presence of SA Tourism at any first point of contact with our foreign tourists.
Nevertheless, the DA wishes to congratulate SA Tourism and the industry for the sustainable programmes and projects thus far implemented. The international marketing campaigns are all inspiring and although the buying power of the rand is hurting our potential to maximise our advertising slots, again we say, making a success of tourism is not only the work of the new Department of Tourism. If all the other departments, most notably Police and Transport, do not co-operate, all the good work that SA Tourism has put together for 2010 and beyond will not be fully realised. We cannot sit back and allow this. All departments must deliver and we will see to it that they are held accountable.
The 2010 Fifa World Cup is a once-off opportunity to show the world South Africa is a beautiful and affordable country to visit, where one is safe amongst our rainbow nation. This will open the doors for the tomorrows after 2010 and it will promote tourism and sustainable jobs in South Africa. I thank you, Chairperson. [Applause.]