Good evening ladies and gentlemen

Programme director, The DDG for Tourism DEAT, Dr Matlou, Chief Director for Tourism Support, Ms Seti, National Registrar Mr. Lulamile Stuurman, Rienzie Berkett, Chairperson of Cape Tourist Guides Association (CTGA), Professor Bayat of Cape Peninsula University of Technology and our esteemed guest’s, tourist guides

It is my honour this evening to welcome you all to this prestigious function to celebrate International Tourist Guides Day.

Today is International Tourist Guides Day, celebrated throughout the world to highlight the contributions that the tourist guide makes. Ladies and gentlemen, International Tourist Guides Day, an initiative of the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, is held on 21 February each year.

In 1990 when it was held for the first time, 15 countries participated. Since then, tourist guides in an ever-growing number of countries have been giving their complimentary services to their local communities, conducting tours for the disabled, the disadvantaged, for children and the general public.

The importance of the tourist guide to the tourism industry cannot be underestimated. The tourist guide is the first person to make contact with the visitor who sets foot on our shores. And long after the visitor has departed the memory of the service the tourist guide had rendered lingers on. Many people return to our shores because of the first encounter they have had while being accompanied by the tourist guide. The tourist guide, in many instances, fulfils the role of an unofficial ambassador of the nation.

On this day, my Department in partnership with Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism has ventured in highlighting the plight of Illegal guiding in the Province. During the course of the day, the National and Provincial Tourist Guide Registrars together with the staff members of the two Departments visited Table Mountain and Cape Point. They requested tourist guides to produce their ID cards and badges in order to validate their legal status. Those that failed to produce their cards were issued with warning letters to enable them to register with the registration office. This exercise will enable both Departments to assess the extent of Illegal guides with the objective of designing a National strategy for dealing with this phenomenon. My staff has informed me that we have received an over whelming response from tourist guides throughout the Province expressing an interest to attend this function. However due to budget implications we were only able to accommodate an ex-amount. In future we will strive to accommodate more tourist guides on any calendar events.

In conclusion the day’s activities have culminated into this dinner function here at Suikerbossie, where we are celebrating and recognizing tourist guides in the Tourism Industry. Remember that you are not on tour here, so unwind, relax and network. Allow us to take care of you tonight. I would like to thank you, the Tourist Guides, for your invaluable contribution to the industry and to assure you of my Department’s efforts to support, assist you and regulate the environment within which you operate.

Keynote Address, Ms Bulelwa Seti (Chief Director: Tourism Support DEAT)
Vote of Thanks, Dr Patrick Matlou (Debuty Director General: Tourism, DEAT)