World Tourism Conference

Today is the last day at the World Tourism Conference in South Africa which will highlight the emerging business and investment opportunities across Africa’s tourism sector. The conference aims to show how tourism can be utilised as an engine for economic growth and job creation. Back in South Africa, Statistics SA’s latest report shows that the tourism industry is declining, the overall number of visitors to South Africa in the first financial quarter of the year, normally one of the most popular times to visit the country, fell by 3%. The decline is attributed to a number of factors including the recent drought in the Western Cape and crime. We felt it was appropriate to invite an entrepreneur who is in the tourism industry in South Africa to talk to us about the type of business he runs and help us understand why such a vibrant which was once a popular tourist destination with global travellers – is now not doing so well. I’m joined in studio by Lebo from Lebo’s backpackers in Pimville Soweto