Question NW2840 to the Minister of Tourism
21 October 2022 - NW2840
Sithole, Mr KP to ask the Minister of Tourism
What (a) steps have been taken by her department to help rebuild tourism in areas in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape that were impacted by the flooding disaster earlier this year and (b) programmes have been implemented by her department to help businesses that depend on tourism?
Reply:
a) The Department, worked with KwaZulu-Natal to undertake preliminary assessment of the damages to tourism facilities. In this regard, the Eastern Cape had indicated that it had the requisite capacity to undertake such assessments through the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Board. The North West Province indicated that neither public nor private tourism facilities were affected. Upon conclusion of the preliminary assessments, the Department has provided support for technical professional assessments of the required technical work and associated costs that will inform the actual interventions and responsibilities between the parties.
b) From engagements with stakeholders, it was determined that there has not been a fundamental disruption of private sector tourism facilities in both Provinces. Affected businesses have indicated that they are covered by insurance, and in the main want the speedy restoration of affected bulk infrastructure. In light of this, no separate interventions were required from the Department.