From global to local: Deputy Tourism Minister brings G20 vision to Northern Cape

THE DEPUTY Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu, will be in the Northern Cape on Thursday, July 3, to unpack the G20’s latest tourism priorities with local communities, officials, and industry stakeholders.

This engagement aims to spark meaningful discussions around how global tourism goals can translate into real-world growth and sustainability for the province. The visit forms part of the national Tourism G20 Outreach campaign, which seeks to involve all sectors of society in shaping the future of travel and tourism.

Earlier this year, G20 member countries agreed on four key priorities to guide international action on tourism development. These include promoting people-centred artificial intelligence and innovation to support start-ups and SMMEs in the sector; unlocking tourism financing and investment for equality and sustainable development; improving air-connectivity to ensure seamless travel; and building resilience to drive inclusive, sustainable tourism.

The outreach programme in the Northern Cape is expected to unite voices from government, academia, the tourism industry and broader society in a collaborative conversation about positioning the province to take advantage of these global tourism trends.

The Northern Cape’s unique cultural and environmental assets offer a strong foundation for building a vibrant and sustainable tourism economy — and the deputy minister’s visit underscores the importance of local involvement in aligning with global tourism strategies.