With the growing role tourism plays in African Development, organisers of the first NEPAD Council International Trade and Investment conference have described the presence of Tourism South Africa CEO, Moeketsi Mosola, at the conference as a major breakthrough for the success of the conference.

The conference will be held from 25 to 27 May in East London and will be attended by local and international business practitioners, potential investors, policy makers, academics and researchers, as well as some of South Africa's leading national and provincial political leaders.

One of the primary objectives of NEPAD is to eradicate poverty in Africa. Tourism has been identified as an economic catalyst. Linked to this is the will to reform policy with regards to the protection of the environment. These two entities together create the opportunity for ecotourism, of which Africa has still not found the best way to tap potential.

Mosola is well equipped to lead discussions at the conference in this regard. Before becoming CEO of South African Tourism, he was responsible for the promotion and marketing of key trans-frontier investment opportunities such as the Lubombo Spatial Development Initiative and the GKG (Gaza Kruger Gonorezhou) tourism and bio-diversity corridor.

He was also chief director: tourism development with the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism. His responsibilities included initiatives such as tourism business development and the management of the Tourism Enterprise Programme. This was aimed at the development of 1 000 black SMMEs over a four-year period.

Holding an MA in Economics and a BA in Neuroscience and Psychology, Mosola studied and lived in North America for eight years, latterly as the 1998 Nelson Mandela Economic Scholar at the University of Houston, Texas.

In accordance with the theme of the conference, "Promoting Intra- and Inter-regional Trade and Investment in Africa", Mosola will not only focus on how to turn Africa into the world's premier tourism destination, but also show how tourism and ecotourism will be influenced by increased cooperation between African countries.

Training and human resource development are integral parts of developing Africa's tourism potential. With his experience in developing new tourism business projects, working with people and being a psychology graduate, Mosola will give insight into how people development can be linked to tourism development.

Other conference themes include the role of agriculture and manufacturing in African development, multi-lateral trade agreements, trade related technical assistance, reversing the African brain drain and overcoming investment obstacles.

Starting on Wednesday 25 May 2005 at the Regent Hotel in East London, the conference opening will coincide with the Buffalo City Africa Day celebrations.

Released by newzwise Media on behalf of the NEPAD Council.

For more information, phone Piet van Niekerk on 0845000369 or mail to piet@newzwise.co.za

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