SA tour guides urged to gear up ahead of 2010

MEC Mandla Nkomfe, speaking to the gathering at the SAB World of Beer in Newtown on Friday, said tour guides are critically important in the smooth and successful running of the tourism industry because their contact with tourists often has a direct influence on the tourist's experience in the country. With OR Tambo Airport being the key entry point into the country, Nkomfe urged Gauteng tour guides to take heed of their great responsibility to ensure SA makes an excellent first impression on tourists.

Nkomfe added that government would continue to provide support for legal guides, as well as continue its efforts at stamping out illegal operations which could impact negatively on the growing sector. "Guides are inadvertently [sic] the country's brand ambassadors and how they handle their business as they interact with tourists goes beyond their own self-interest," he stressed.

The MEC said he was also pleased to see that the sector was playing an active role in alleviating poverty by creating employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, particularly for previously disadvantaged individuals. "It provides one of the rarest opportunities to create guides who emerge from those communities with interesting Gauteng stories and history to tell," he said.

Nkomfe called on aspirant tour guides and those currently working in the sector to recognise guiding as a business like any other and adhere to strict business principles to ensure that the goal of professionalism is achieved.

The GTA's role as an aid to the industry was highlighted and publicly offered to tour guides in the province. This year, the GTA has increased its assistance in the areas of marketing and advertising for tour guides in the province to enhance the sector's visibility.