<< go back to News Index

First Provincial Northern Cape Tourism Conference

05 June 2006 On 20 and 21 April, the Northern Cape held its first ever tourism conference. By all accounts it was a huge success with a very good attendance. After the opening of the first session by its chairperson Ms Tina Joemat Pettersen, NC MEC for Agriculture and Land Reform, and a warm welcome by Sol Plaatjie's Major Patrick Lenyibi, The Northern Cape MEC for Tourism, Environment and Conservation gave the audience a quick run down on the purpose of the conference.

Then in her much anticipated keynote address the Premier of the Northern Cape treated the delegates to an inspirational speech in which she identified the importance of both tourism to the province and the conference as the kick-off point and platform through which we are able to tackle the challenges as set out in the new White Paper. The new White Paper was then ceremonially handed over to the Premier.

Delegates, over the two days of the conference, were treated to quality speeches by Mr Pakes Dikgetsi. MEC for Finance and Economic Affairs; Mr Moeketsi Mosola, CEO of SA Tourism; Dr Tanya Abrahamse, CEO Tourism Business Council of South Africa; Ms Pat Mokhali, HOD, Department of Tourism, Environment and Conservation NC; Mr Martin van Vuuren from Grant Thorton; Mt Dominic Hoole of KMPG; Ms Moira Marais-Martin, Chairperson of the NCTA Board and SALGA; Mr Karel Phetela winner of the ETEYA award; Ms Sharon Lewis, CEO of NCTA; Mr Henry Esau, NC Department of Sports, Arts and Agriculture; Mr Fred Wyngaardt, MEC for Transport, Roads and Public Works; Mr D Molusi, MEC for Sports, Arts and Culture; Mr Ronny Gijsen, Chief of Economic Development, Maasmechelen, Belgium; Ms Maud Overbeke from Europe; Ms A Soni, The Tourism BEE Council.

Four parallel discussion groups were set up on the first afternoon were delegates got to interact, comment and help forge policies to take Northern Cape tourism forward. The four session discussions were made of the following subjects:
1. Access to tourism destinations in the Northern Cape which was chaired by Dr Tanya Abrahamse, CEO of Tourism Business Council of South Africa.
2. Financing Tourism development and growth through partnerships which was chaired by Mr Kagiso Mojanga of De Beers.
3. Marketing and Branding of the NC as a Tourism Destination, chaired by Ms Moira Marais-Martin, Chairperson of the NCTA Board.
4. Developing Skills for Tourism Growth in the Northern Cape which was chaired by Mr Ben Cederstroom, TEP.

Over the next few weeks we will bring you highlights from the speeches made at the conference and what has come out of the discussion groups.

Other News Articles Tswalu in the Kalahari opens after extensive refurbishment Fractional Ownership of a Kalahari Golf Estate Provincial Tourism Resource Audit To Boost Development and Job Creation Dare to experience the Wild flowers of Namakwa NC Tourism Service Excellence Awards 2008 Northern Cape Scoops Up Considerable Tourism Awards at Indaba 2008 Top Emerging Entrepreneurs of the Northern Cape Mattanu Game Ranch re-opening a great success New Protea Hotel adjacent to Big Hole Local crafts used to decorate !Xaus Lodge Golden Lions train at Khamkirri Namakwa Festival Ouma Grietjie Adams SA Tourism FUNDI takes flight in the “Real Province” Two new border crossings for the Northern Cape Northern Cape Tourism wins Gold Heerengracht Guest House get ETEYA Award The 2007 Flamingo Casino Barney Barnato Golf Week 2007 Flower Report Baby Landy conquerors the big Northern Cape !Kimmies Route – A Namaqua cultural experience Mokala National park proclaimed ER scenes shot in Northern Cape The Kimberley Big Hole is open Revamped Kimberly Big Hole to re-open 25 November 2006 Heritage Month at Wildebeest Kuil Kalahari Gemsbok National Park – 1931 to 2006 Namaqualand flower show continues A New National Park in the Northern Cape Namaqualand flowers are blooming already! Big Hole closed from July to November 2006 Special Report: Namaqualand Flower Report, 14 July 2006 Northern Cape Launches its new branding identity First Provincial Northern Cape Tourism Conference Northern Cape Tourism website already number one << go back to News Index