BREATHING in a new lease of life!
Since the introduction of new board members at the Johannesburg Tourism Company, changes are taking shape, fast.
The board headed by tourism encyclopaedia Terry Tselane, as chairperson, will as from now onward become a municipal-owned entity.
In the past it was under a directorate of the Department of Economic Development within the City. This means, as a destination management organisation, it will support the tourism industry in Joburg for improved economic impact.
This follows the City of Johannesburg’s budget address for 2022/23 municipal financial year; by the MMC for Finance Julie Suddaby, recently.
Johannesburg as a driver of economic growth, development and job creation, is a global player in terms of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions “MICE” Johannesburg, which has always been and remains a force to be reckoned with.
“We are thrilled that the entity’s establishment has finally come to pass. After months of strenuous behind-the-scenes work, which started with appointing a nimble board of directors at the beginning of 2022; the team in the now-former directorate has complied with Council procedures. It has also ensured adherence to all relevant legal, governance as well as core business requirements,” says the media release.
“We are excited by the support and enthusiasm of our partners in this sector such as the South African Association for the Conference Industry (SAACI) who, through their CEO Glenton de Kock, have welcomed what the new organisational structures mean for Destination Joburg.
More so than ever, we all need to be as well-equipped as possible to compete in the post-pandemic scenario, particularly for the MICE industry in Johannesburg.”
The revised iteration is a welcome development for the Joburg Tourism Company as it sets about re-establishing itself and reclaiming Johannesburg’s space as the continent’s foremost business and lifestyle destination, the veritable heartbeat of Africa.
JTC has been lashed out by many for being ‘toothless’ and lacking leadership quality in promoting and developing local tourism enough, more so, during the pandemic.
