Pretoria - The Department of Tourism has entered into a three-year partnership with Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa to train 200 beach stewards to enhance tourism facilities and services at 50 Blue Flag beaches.
The 50 Blue Flag beaches are in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.
Speaking at the launch event held in Marina Beach on the South Coast of KwaZulu-Natal on Friday, Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom lauded the R40 million programme, which he said will advance responsible tourism along the country’s approximately 3000 km coastline.
“I would like to congratulate the 200 beach ambassadors. We see the programme as a start to make our attractions even greater. We aim for this programme to help us double our number of Blue Flag beaches and in the process create more job opportunities,” said Minister Hanekom.
The Blue Flag Project will train 200 youth from low-income households in the National Certificate in Environmental Education Training and Development Practices NQF 5 specialising in Tourism.
The training will run over a 28 month period and will be complemented by practical work experience.
Minister Hanekom said the beach stewards will provide local municipalities with adequate infrastructural support to maintain the required high standards of safety, environmental management, water quality and environmental education at Blue Flag sites, as well as assist other beaches to attain this prestigious status.
“As part of this, they will keep beaches clean and safe, provide beach goers with information and protect the coastal environment,” the Minister said.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environment Affairs, Sihle Zikalala emphasised how critical Blue Flag sites are to tourism.
“If you are a province such as KwaZulu-Natal, which is blessed with tourism and is preferred by both international and local tourists, then you know what is at stake to uphold a Blue Flag status,” said MEC Zikalala.
Mayor of Ray Nkonyeni Municipality, Nomusa Mqwebu welcomed the initiative adding that it will provide opportunities for coastal youth.
“A number of studies indicated that travellers are no longer content with sunshine and fun at the beach; they also want to know that they are getting value for money by placing a premium on those beaches which are of the highest standard,” Mayor Mqwebu said. – SAnews.gov.za
