The Centre for Sustainable Development based at the Tshwane University of Technology’s Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management Sciences, is hosting the International Adventure Tourism Conference, on behalf of the Adventure Tourism Research Association (ATRA), in Knysna from 9 - 11 September.
The aim of the conference themed People, Place and Planet, is to bring together the Adventure Industry, Government and academics to brainstorm on important issues in the industry.
Day one of the conference saw the Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof Tinyiko Maluleka, welcoming delegates on behalf of TUT and the Faculty of Management Sciences, followed by Ms Lungiswa Goya from Tourism Knysna who shared a wealth of information on the exiting activities available in Knysna and surroundings, as well as everything that will be on offer during and after the Conference.
In the first address of the day, David Frost, CEO of the Southern African Tourism Services Association provided an insight from an industry perspective, into the growth opportunities for Adventure Tourism in South Africa.
In his presentation, Setting the scene for People, Place and Planet, Victor Tharage, Director-General: National Department of Tourism, gave a short overview of the development of Adventure Tourism in the country and the role national government played in the process.
According to Tharage, there is definitely a need for a more rigorous and effective bottom-up approach to community-based tourism. “The entire industry should work together on a much larger scale to ensure the industry is represented holistically,” he said.
Victor Tharage
Lungiswa Goya, Knysna Tourism.
Suzette Landman and David Frost.