Schools debate kicks off Tourism Month
By Tabisa Mntengwana
9 September 2009
TOURISM Month kicks off on Friday, 11 September with a Tourism Schools Speech and Award Ceremony in King William's Town.
The event is organised by the City's department of local economic development, tourism and rural development, which will work closely with the provincial department of education in ensuring all schools offer tourism as a subject.
On the day, participating schools will be given a topic to debate, with the best school winning a tour to visit various tourist attractions in Buffalo City.
According to a report by the municipality, the debate is to encourage learners who have an interest in tourism and have taken tourism as a subject, to test their knowledge of and exposure to the industry.
About 30 schools will take part, from East London and King William's Town, with each school to have three representatives. "This event seeks to encourage teamwork as schools with both advantaged and disadvantaged individuals will form teams to work on the topics," reads the report.
The event will take place at the War Memorial Hall in King William's Town.
Phindile Mbonwa, the programme manger for tourism, said: "The debate will give learners an opportunity to look for suitable careers in the industry."
Tourism Month is marked annually in September to focus on the importance of tourism to the economy of South Africa.
During the month, emphasis is placed on educating local communities about the role of tourism in the economy while exposing them to the unique and diverse tourism experiences offered locally that can be enjoyed by all.
Tourism Day, on 17 September in Buffalo City, will be celebrated at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane; the day will be filled day with fun activities ranging from exhibitions to entertainment by local artists and speeches by dignitaries.
Crafters, artists, musicians and tour guides are invited take part.
The Tourism Month theme this year is "We are gearing up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™". According to the report the theme was chosen as part of an initiative to inform and prepare communities for the football tournament.
Mbonwa said Tourism Month would serve as a platform to increase awareness of tourism in local communities during the competition.
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