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Business pointers :: Sakeflitse

National

• Opinion on community tourism products
An opinion sounding done by Travelinfo on southern Africa's community tourism products reveals that only 13% of respondents feel that community tourism products are diverse and offer a world class offering, while the remaining 87% feel that community tourism products tend to be underdeveloped and lacking in quality. The poll thus comes to the conclusion that more money, energy and commitment needs to be thrown behind these products for them to become examples of successful ownership and empowerment.

• Carolus to step down
SA Tourism CEO Cheryl Carolus has announced that she will not be renewing her current three-year employment contract which expires at the end of October 2004. The website www.travelinfo.co.za reports a general feeling that Carolus has not delivered as expected in her job in terms of foreign arrivals in SA and job creation results in the tourism industry.

• Reported loss of R1,7 bn for SA Tourism South African Tourism has suffered a revenue loss amounting to R1,7bn in the first quarter compared to 2003. SA Tourism said that R500m of this was due to the stronger rand as well as changes in the exchange rate. The figures are from the South African Tourism Index quarterly report covering the period January to March 2004. According to reports, total foreign direct spending in South Africa during the first quarter was R10,3bn - a 14.5% decline from the previous year's R12bn mark. Revenue was R297m compared to 2003's R609m.