In September, the North-West University (NWU) is celebrating Tourism Month with all South Africans, and we do this because tourism plays a crucial role in our country’s economic, social and cultural sectors. Tourism is a key contributor to South Africa’s GDP, it provides employment, and it contributes millions of rands to people, particularly in rural and historically marginalised areas.
By celebrating this month, awareness is raised about the sector’s potential to drive sustainable development, alleviate poverty, and create job opportunities.
Tourism Month also coincides with Heritage Month, and this allows us as South Africans to celebrate our rich cultural and natural heritage.
At the NWU, tourism matters, and we have established ourselves as leaders in the field of tourism research. We pride ourselves on our focus on sustainable tourism development and on our quest to unearth more avenues where tourism can benefit socio-economic development. We also collaborate with government agencies, private entities and communities to enhance tourism planning and policy making.
We do this, because at the NWU we believe that tourism is not only a window to showcase our country, but a tool that can uplift, repair, enhance and promote.
The opportunities that tourism holds are endless, and it all starts here.
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