Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela convened the National Tourism Careers Expo, on Wednesday, which brought together the key decision makers to the sector to discuss fundamental strategies to advance this momentous platform, which provides vital information on the development of careers.
In its eleventh year, the National Tourism Careers Expo attracts tourism industry stakeholders including private sector and learners from grade 9-12, to source information on different careers available in the sector.
More recently, the NTCE has been hosted in the province of Gauteng, drawing scores of learners in Gauteng and across the country, with entities operating in the sector to provide learners with potential careers in the sector. It also brings together educators and civil organizations within the interest of advancing the sector, training opportunities, job creation and creating sustainable growth.
The NTCE is designed to bridge the information gap between the industry, government, learners and educators. The main aim of the NTCE is to promote tourism as a career, profession and business of choice targeting learners from high schools, TVET Colleges and University students, out of school youth and unemployed tourism graduates.
Addressing the delegates, Deputy Minister Mahlalela emphasised on why there is a need to host these tourism careers as the sector plays a significant role in education and creation of sustainable jobs.
“The purpose of the NTCE 2023 is to provide a platform for the sector to create awareness on the available careers and professional opportunities in the tourism industry and give the learners an opportunity to interact with their potential employers. The primary target groups include high school learners from grade 9 – 12, TVET College students, university students, educators and unemployed tourism graduates”, echoed Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela, as he opened the session.
“The NTCE is designed to bridge the information gap between the industry, government, learners and educators. The main aim of the NTCE is to promote tourism as a career, profession and business of choice targeting learners from high schools, TVET Colleges and University students, out of school youth and unemployed tourism graduates”, concluded Deputy Minister Mahlalela.
Held over a three-day period, the expo is set to be held later this year in Gauteng province and it is expected that the outcomes of the expo will ensure better understanding of the importance of partnerships in training and development issues, increased opportunities for internships, learnerships, bursaries and employment and new and creative ideas to partnerships for improving future interventions.
The NTCE 2023 will take place on the 29, 30 September and 01 October 2023 at the Nasrec, Johannesburg Expo Centre.
The NTCE leaves a legacy where Provinces commit to host annual Provincial expos every year post hosting the event. Host Provinces report economic benefits through local small business procurement. The host city and the Province experience visitor increases before, during and post event.
The Department of Tourism together with its stakeholders, have collaborated to develop the robust Tourism Sector Recovery Plan. This Plan is anchored on three interlinked pillars or strategic themes: protecting and rejuvenating supply, reigniting demand and strengthening enabling capability for long term sustainability.
