South Africa’s Tourism Sector Contributes Hugely to the GDP
Tourism is an incredibly important contributor to South Africa’s gross domestic product. South Africa is a beautiful country with a huge array of biodiversity and natural resources, so it is not difficult to see how it attracts many foreign visitors and tourists. In an effort to stimulate the tourism industry and grow the country’s economy, a lot of development schemes have proliferated as a means to draw in more tourists and financial profits. Read this article to understand how concrete mixers have played an important role in the development of South Africa, and its consequent impacts on the tourism sector and overall economy.
Tourism Is An Important Sector In South Africa
According to Statistics South Africa, the direct contribution of the tourism sector to South Africa’s gross domestic product was R130,1 billion in 2018. This made up almost 3% of the GDP. In the same year, the tourism sector contributed to 4,5% of the country’s total employment. The Tourism Satellite Account reported that the tourism sector is reportedly larger than the agriculture, utilities and construction industries and in 2019, tourism contributed 3.7% to the GDP and 4.7% of national employment. Sadly, the impact of the coronavirus pandemic reduced the contributions of the tourism sector as a result of restricted travel and continuous travel bans.
Tourism is a vital part of South Africa’s economy, as it helps with poverty reduction, it is a major job creator and it presents thousands of employment opportunities in a country with tragic employment rates. This fast-growing industry is essential for the expansion of the country’s economy and it is also seen as a source of pride for all South Africans. The tourism sector demonstrates and showcases South Africa’s unique qualities and natural wonders.
From beaches to mountains to wildlife and colourful communities, South Africa is a wonderful option for a vacation. However, in order for South Africa to capitalise on its resources and maximise the value of the available property, the country requires infrastructural growth and development. Coastlines need to be complemented by coffee shops, and mountains need to be complemented by cable cars. Every province requires structural urban development in order to attract foreigners and tourists.
Tourism Growth Requires Development
But there’s a lot involved with urban development. There needs to be effective cooperation between governments, businesses, construction companies and communities. To ensure that these developments happen effectively, the National Department of Tourism functions under the following legislation and policies:
“The Tourism Act, 2014 (Act 3 of 2014) provides for the development and promotion of sustainable tourism for the benefit of South Africa, its residents and its visitors. It also provides for the continued existence of the South African Tourism Board, the establishment of the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA), and the regulation of the tourist guide profession.
The Act aims to:
• promote the practising of responsible tourism for the benefit of South Africa and for the enjoyment of all its residents and visitors
• provide for the effective domestic and international marketing of South Africa as a tourist destination
• promote quality tourism products and services
• promote growth in and development of the tourism sector
• enhance cooperation and coordination between all spheres of Government in developing and managing tourism.
In terms of the Act, responsible tourism is tourism which:
• seeks to avoid negative economic, environmental and social impacts
• generates greater economic benefits for local people, enhances the wellbeing of host communities and improves working conditions and access to the tourism sector
• involves local people in decisions that affect their lives
• makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the worldʼs diversity
• provides enjoyable experiences for tourists through meaningful connections with local people and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues
• provides access for people with physical challenges
• is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts, and builds local pride and confidence.
The Tourism Act of 1993 provides for:
•” promoting tourism to and in South Africa
• regulating and rationalising the tourism industry
• implementing measures aimed at the maintenance and enhancement of the standards of facilities and services hired out or made available to tourists
• coordinating and rationalising the activities of people who are active in the tourism industry
• establishing a board with legal powers
• authorising the Minister of Tourism to establish a grading and classification scheme in respect of accommodation establishments
• authorising the Minister to establish schemes for prescribed sectors of the tourism industry
• registering tourist guides
• prohibiting any person to act for gain as a tourist guide unless he or she has been registered as a tourist guide in terms of the Act”
Development Plans In South Africa
In November, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that there were national plans to develop the country’s eastern seaboard. The developments will cover the areas between Durban and East London, including the Wild Coast. This will invite tourists to some of the poorer areas of the country, thereby stimulating trade and retail while creating employment opportunities for local people. Developing the West Coast is a wonderful opportunity to invite more foreign visitors and further portray South Africa as an unmatched holiday destination.
Throughout 2019 and 2020, huge amounts of money were also channelled into Kwa-Zulu Natal’s Golden Mile. The Golden Mile is an outstretched beach that Durban is known for, as it is a beautiful sight where skaters, surfers, visitors and holidayers tend to spend their leisurely weekends by the beach. The new Point Beach promenade was extended by 750 meters past Ushaka Marine World.
The promenade now connects with the Point Bay Harbour, and it has invited crowds of people to engage with local traders, vendors, food retailers and surf clubs. The project cost an estimated R300 million. It included a huge array of public amenities such as a lifeguard’s office overlooking the ocean, public bathrooms, a stage, and a huge promenade where people regularly engage in athletic activities.
Mixed leisure developments like these are an incredible way to advance South Africa’s pull factors for foreign investors. Developing this kind of infrastructure in place of old, run-down apartment buildings is a long-term investment in the country’s economic growth. This infrastructure maximises prime seaside locations that tourists and locals love.
Another example of a sea-side development that is a huge source of income for the South African government and its people is the V&A Waterfront. There are a variety of residential, commercial, and leisure facilities that benefit the tenants of the area and local business owners. The V&A Waterfront Development has been particularly focused on sustainability and the implementation of sustainable design strategies, including the use of green energy that minimises consumption and waste.
In 2021, Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato approved an expansion project for the V&A waterfront’s canal district worth R3.9 billion. The expansion plan aims to seamlessly integrate Dock Road with Cape Town’s central business district. This plan was specifically designed to help Cape Town’s economy grow quickly after the national lockdowns during 2020 and 2021.
The Cape Town Atlantic Seaboard also has a brilliant beachfront, known as The Sea Point Promenade, which stretches over Mouille Point and Sea Point. This area is a huge tourist attraction as it is approximately 7 kilometres of beautiful views, cosy coffee shops, high-end restaurants, and commercial shopping stores. This is a perfect environment for outdoor sports, exploration of the local environment, and an ideal spot to stop and watch the sunset or sunrise. You’ll see plenty of people here rollerblading, skateboarding, jogging, segwaying or strolling with baby prams.
Development Plans Require Cooperation With the Construction Industry
These developments increase the property value of surrounding areas, helping to create job opportunities for local vendors, restaurateurs and business owners, and improve the infrastructural capacities of the country. These plans solidify South Africa’s reputation as an idyllic holiday location. These development plans also notably create a lot of work for construction companies and manual labourers in the construction industry.
Concrete Is An Important Aspect of Development
One thing that all of these developments have in common is the use of concrete, such as what is used to create the famous promenades that overlook the beach and accommodate athletes, skaters and strollers. Creating a sustainable, smooth promenade that invites visitors and beach-goers to relax and rejuvenate using local facilities requires high-quality manufacturing equipment such as BS Power’s concrete mixers. Concrete mixers are capable of mixing high volumes of concrete thoroughly and quickly. Some concrete mixers are also capable of distributing concrete directly onto the site for maximum efficiency.
By blending aggregates such as sand, gravel, water and cement, these machines are able to create smooth consistencies of concrete that can then be moulded and poured according to the construction specifications. BS Power is a trusted distributor and retailer of construction materials such as concrete mixers. Read the list below to see what they offer to construction companies working to develop South Africa’s infrastructure and tourism industry:
- Alternators
- Battery Products
- Baumaux
- Blowers and misters
- Bricksaws
- Briggs and Stratton
- Brushcutters
- BS Power
- Chainsaw
- Concrete cutters
- Concrete mixers
- Construction
- Cultivators
- Drive Units and pokers
- Engines
- Forest and garden products
- Generators
- Spare parts
- Hedgetrimmers
- High-pressure washers
- Honda
- Husqvarna
- Lawnmower engines
- Lawnmowers
- Plate compactors
- Pole pruning saws
- Power trowels
- Rammers
- Replacement engines
- Ride-on mowers
- Robotic mowers
- Scaffolding
- Sod cutters
- Stump grinders
- Water pumps
- Cement-mixers
- Inverter generators
- Stihl
- Stihl brush cutters
- Trimmers
- Zero-turn mowers
Cement is an integral material for most urban infrastructure, as it is used to bind and unify rocks, stones and bricks. Cement is a powdery substance that contains ingredients such as sand or clay, limestone, iron ore and bauxite. When hydraulic cement is mixed with water, a chemical reaction occurs and the cement hardens to become a stiff, durable material suitable for infrastructures like commercial buildings, residential homes, promenades and many other projects.
Hydraulic cement is chemically compounded up of oxides and silicates, including belite, alite, tricalcium aluminate, and brownmillerite. Cement is an incredibly useful building material because it stiffens and hardens easily. It is easily workable, making it malleable for all kinds of projects and structures – including curving promenades and concave skateparks for example. Cement is also incredibly water-resistant, which makes it ideal for building on coastlines.
BS Power Provides Equipment For Effective Construction And Development
BS Power was founded in 2003 and is focused on importing and manufacturing a large range of equipment for professional construction. BS Power distributes Husqvarna, Stihl, Briggs and Stratton, Baumaux and Honda. BS Power offers the following concrete mixers for construction companies that are involved with urban and coastal development projects for the purpose of growing the South African economy:
- BAUMAX BS360L Concrete Mixer fitter with BAUMAX RX200 2:1 Engine (R16,995)
- 400L Concrete Mixer with BAUMAX RX200 2:1 Engine (R18,995)
- BAUMAX BS500 500L Concrete Mixer fitted with BAUMAX RX200 2:1 Engine (R21,995)
Now that you know everything there is to know about the South African tourism sector, you can understand why it is so important that construction companies have access to the best possible cement mixers. Manufacturers and retailers of these construction tools are important for the efficient development of South Africa, and the consequent economic growth that comes from expanding tourism industry.