Tourism, being the most obvious industry to benefit from an international event of this calibre, was given some sort of attention, but not enough. Other sectors like transport, industry, retail, security and even the banking sector – since there will be a lot of currencies circulating in the market - have not been given much priority even though all these will be crucial during the 2010 World Cup event.
Minister of Tourism and Environmental Affairs Macford Sibandze has laid out an action plan for his ministry to get on board the 2010 bandwagon and make up for lost time. He notes that the country cannot afford to sit on its laurels and let such opportunity sashay by.
He says the international event, for instance, provides the opportunity to increase tourism revenue as well as to upgrade the tourism supply-side to supplement shortage demand in the industry while the widespread media exposure would enhance the region as a brand in global tourism. Sibandze says the event provides a unique opportunity for Swaziland to significantly enhance its competitiveness in the long term, so delivering a world class experience to tourists is important for the country to convert arrivals in 2010 to good ambassadors who would spread the word and further enhance the region’s brand as a tourism destination of choice.
Source:
It’s about time SD gets aboard 2010 bandwagon
The Swazi Observer
March 28, 2009
