Niche sub-industries can also play a crucial role in driving growth in SA's tourism industry and the economy as a whole. The more international medical travellers we receive, especially to our underutilised private sector, and tend to have 2x the length of stay of a recreational tourist, would lead to an (1) increase in the number of healthcare jobs created, (2) higher pay for healthcare professionals due to increased revenue and (3) more qualified healthcare professionals seeing SA as an attractive country of employment where they get to treat the world's most interesting and rare medical cases.

I would like to add, that one of the things the government can do to boost travel and tourism is to RETURN to staggered inland and coastal school holidays. This would allow domestic tourists greater choice and better rates ( as not all demand in the same subset of school holidays) and extend the season for attractions meaning better employment opportunities. This is a low hanging fruit. Can we please start a discussion on this!

It's true, while we support 'n appreciate the government's constant effort of putting South Africa on the global tourism market, its crucial to cater for the domestic market that can even penetrate our rural area destinations while international tourists remain on major routes due to time constraints!