Tourism is a multi-levelled industry. Every business under the umbrella of “travel and tourism” serves a specific purpose and, through this, creates jobs for individuals from various backgrounds and skill levels.
Globally, almost 300 million jobs originate in the tourism industry. Locally, it has a R 659,8 billion contribution to the economy, roughly 8.9% of national GDP. The World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that by 2035, the industry will have an additional 620 000 new jobs, reaching a total of 2,6 million, or 13,8% of the country’s workforce.
Additional research indicates that tourism can account for 20% of all new jobs created before 2028.
It is full of opportunities for inexperienced youth, women and unskilled workers. This is because the industry doesn’t consist only of tour guides and hotel managers. For example, if a family books a vacation, they interact with the following individuals:
- If they book through a tour operator, they interact with the sales representative, or at the very least, a third-party booking agent like Booking.com, who employ staff to manage the website, offer customer support and keep financial records in check.
- Flying to their destination, they may use an airline which employs cabin crew, pilots, customer service agents, accountants, and website administrators. Not to mention the numerous jobs that exist within an airport.
- Using a shuttle service, the service consists of administrative personnel and drivers.
- If they drive down to the coast instead, they encounter countless individuals along the way: Everyone from petrol attendants at the Shell Ultra City to the lady in the toll booth, the person selling curios and restaurant staff serving food to keep them fueled for their journey.
- At their destination, whether it be a B&B, hotel or camping grounds, the business owner, reception staff, cleaners and individuals responsible for facility maintenance are all employed by the tourism industry.
- During their stay, a family may also encounter individual businesses that generate an income from tourism in their specific area. This can include museums, other activities or attractions, and experiences. Each business has staff that might not appear to be a person in tourism, but being a shopkeeper, for instance, at a museum does fall into this industry.
As Patricia de Lill, Minister of Tourism, has noted before, the best starting point for creating jobs in tourism is to build the infrastructure to facilitate it. And just as the case is with many other sectors, the onus is on SMEs to help build the economy, create jobs and drive change.
How Can SMEs Create Jobs
Since time immemorial, the humble SME has been the backbone of every economy. Without the small trader turning a craft or skill into a product or service, no exchange of goods will happen. Even now, heavily aware that these entrepreneurs contribute to 40% of the country’s economy (and perhaps even more unregistered), they serve a vital function that not even governments can achieve on their own.
Here are three ways that small business owners can enable even more job creation:
1. Champion Innovation
Entrepreneurs are not just “business folk”. More often than not, they are also the innovators who bring new products and services to life.
Taking a look at our Founder Focus column, for instance, it is overflowing with inspiration for (young) innovators who have identified business opportunities. By championing innovation in your own business and community, jobs can be created.
In tourism, this can be a unique attraction, such as the Upside Down house near Hartbeespoort.
2. Strengthen Supply Chains
Small businesses that strengthen their own supply chains by seeking out other small businesses that can contribute to their supply chain, rather than relying on large corporations with mass-produced products. By giving your business to other fellow SMEs, you can actively create jobs.
In tourism, this might be a B&B only using local suppliers for decor, food or even specialised products such as handmade soap as complimentary gifts.
3. Partner With Other Businesses
Partnering with other local businesses creates jobs by ensuring all parties benefit from tourism activities. These partnerships can take the form of collaborations, prizes, and limited offers.
Tour operators, for instance, can partner with shuttle services and hotels to provide discounted offers when booking through them.
Tourism is a multi-levelled industry. Every business under the umbrella of “travel and tourism” serves a specific purpose and, through this, creates jobs for individuals from various backgrounds and skill Read More
