Question NW2082 to the Minister of Tourism
27 September 2021 - NW2082
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
Whether, in view of the changes in the local and global economy, owing largely to the COVID-19 pandemic, which have compelled businesses in tourism to be proactive and flexible in dealing with challenges and opportunities, she has found that the growing gig economy, which is dominated by skilled part-time workers, freelancers and/or individuals with flexible working hours who are also leisure travellers, negatively affects the creation of permanent jobs in the tourism industry; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, which specific solution is she considering to minimise the impact on job creation, especially in light of high unemployment rates?
Reply:
SA Tourism has not conducted a study on the changes brought about by the COVID pandemic and gig economy and its impact on job creation in the mainstream tourism products. The entity therefore does not have any data to support the question.