The Democratic Alliance (DA) is dismayed at the closure of Buffalo City Tourism.

Stronger political and administrative guidance is needed to re-establish this Board and to ensure its viable functioning.

It is known that tourism is a strong contributor to the economic growth of a province or city. Other than jobs linked directly and closely to the tourist trade, tourism advertises a province or city to potential investors.

An area with a thriving tourist trade is at least perceived as an area that is more successful in other endeavours, including being ripe for investment. Buffalo City has much to offer, it is just not being marketed properly: in fact, now not at all by the municipal government.

Instead of just closing shop, the management of the metro should have re-evaluated Buffalo City Tourism’s running and lobbied Eastern Cape Tourism for guidance and support.

Closing down the Metro’s tourism office has sent ripples of non-confidence across all investment sectors.

The MEC of Economic Development and Tourism, Mcebisi Jonas, needs to intervene immediately to re-establish Buffalo City Tourism with the help of Eastern Cape Tourism, whose head office is already located in Buffalo City.

I requested such an intervention when the Portfolio Committee on Economic Development met in the Legislature yesterday afternoon. (subs: afternoon of Wednesday, 24 August)

John Cupido, MPL.

DA provincial spokesperson on economic development and tourism

Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature