RETOSA to be transformed

The Regional Tourism Association of Southern Africa (RETOSA) is re-inventing and repositioning itself as a platform for promoting tourism not just among SADC member countries but to bring more tourists from outside the trade bloc into the region.
This follows after the SADC ministers responsible for tourism last week agreed to the transformation of RETOSA into an agency responsible specifically for the marketing of tourism in the region.
The meeting was attended by ministers and deputy ministers from Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe while senior officials from other countries were also present.
The transformation was agreed upon by the ministers during the seventh meeting of SADC ministers responsible for tourism in Gaborone, Botswana, on 7 July.
The ministers reviewed earlier instructions to turn RETOSA into a viable and self-sustaining organisation tasked with the promotion of the SADC tourism sector.
In this regard the ministers heard from the board that an organisational review had taken place and that changes were being recommended aimed at making RETOSA more proactive and responsive to the needs of its members.
Subsequently the ministers approved a continued organisational review as well as developing a new strategic plan and funding mechanisms.
Also high on the agenda of the meeting was cross-border anti-poaching operations, cross-border tourism facilitation and travel facilitation in Africa – particularly the removal of visa regimes hindering intra-Africa travel.
A talk about travel facilitation throughout the southern African region by the Tourism Business Council of South Africa highlighted such aspects of African travel as visa policy, destination marketing, aviation development, technology and innovation, and the need to enhance processes governing the efficient movement of travellers throughout the region in ways reflective of the growing importance of tourism in the global economy.
The potential of cross-border tourism in SADC was explored in a presentation as an important element of future regional tourism expansion, laying bare the respective weaknesses and strengths of member countries in encouraging cross-border tourism in the SADC region and offering strong tourism products and services.
The ministers reviewed the proposed priority activities of the tourism sector for the 2016/17 financial year in the areas of marketing and communications; research, planning and development; as well as other pertinent activities aimed at transforming the industry for the better.
Ministers approved the priorities, on which they will receive a progress report at the next meeting.
Mauritius terminated its membership in RETOSA during the meeting and RETOSA ministers resolved to send a delegation to Mauritius and seek ways to bring the island back into the organisation.
Angola and Namibia both volunteered to lead the team which was tasked to look into the reasons why Mauritius had given notice to leave RETOSA and address the circumstances that led to the decision.

ELLANIE SMIT