The new Western Cape Tourism Bill [B 8-2003] provides for the establishment of a single marketing body that will in future jointly market Cape Town and all the regions of the Western Cape. The Bill provides for provincial and local governments to join their marketing resources and partner with the private sector to market the City and the Provincial regions as a single destination, and not separately, as in the past.
The bill comprises ten chapters, mainly addressing the following:
- objectives of the joint marketing organization
- the appointment and composition of the Board, the CEO and its committees
- the delegation of powers, functions and duties
- funding and financial control
- the accreditation and registration of local tourism associations
- the establishment of a Visitor Information Network
In terms of the bill the staff, as well as the assets, liabilities and records of the Western Cape Tourism Board and the Cape Town Tourism and Events Company are transferred to the new single marketing body.
In terms of the legislative process, the bill is available for input from the public for 21 days, which brings the closing date to Wednesday, December 10, 2003.
Thereafter the Standing Committee on Tourism and Gambling of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament will consider the Bill and any public input which has been received and will then report its findings to the Provincial Parliament at the beginning of 2004. The legislative process will then follow normal procedure.
The Bill is available on the internet on Tourism Bill 19 November 2003 or can be obtained by phoning Ms Allison Smith at Western Cape Provincial Parliament, tel: 021 483 4644.
The public are invited to comment on the Bill in writing before 10 December 2003. Comments can be submitted by post, fax or email to The Secretary, Western Cape Provincial Parliament (Attention: Ms. Z. Mene), P O Box 648, Cape Town 8000. Email: nmene@pgwc.gov.za. Fax: 021 487 1685.
Western Cape Tourism Minister, Joyce Witbooi, called on all tourism role players and stakeholders to act fast and submit their comments as soon as possible. "We have come a long journey in bringing together the private sector with local and provincial government in a partnership to market our beautiful part of the country. It is extremely important that we take the process forward together and collate input from as far and wide as possible, from individuals, stakeholders or organisations in our rural and urban areas.
"The Bill aims to overcome the problems of duplication and fragmentation in the industry. It makes provision for our bouquet of attractions throughout the Province to be presented in an exciting and coherent manner."
