Image: Cape Town attracts many global tourists

South African tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has called for "decisive action" in order to ensure the sector's sustainable future over the coming years.

Van Schalkwyk was speaking at the opening of the annual Tourism Indaba at Durban – the region's largest tourism marketing event – and said the industry needed to adopt measures to reduce its carbon and water footprint.

The minister said he did not want South Africa's tourism sector to become one that "raids our natural resources for short-term profit" and is looking to improve its green credentials.

"There are some areas in which we now need to cooperate with those international players against whom we also compete," said van Schalkwyk.

Meanwhile, van Schalkwyk also urged greater co-operation - particularly with other African nations - to remove some of the barriers to international tourism.

By 2020, the minister told delegates he expected many leading economies to have a system of "e-visas" to improve security and enhance the travel experience.

- South Africa and Zimbabwe have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding in increase co-operation in areas relating to each country's respective tourism sector.

The five-year agreement allows for the promotion and growth of tourism exchanges, which includes the sharing of best practice on the integration of culture and heritage into tourism.

Details: www.buanews.gov.za (Tourism Indaba)

Details: www.info.gov.za (South Africa/Zimbabwe MoU)

Image: Nithin bolar k