Tour operators blast 'useless' Pitsos

The report stated that industry players are expected to attend lots of workshops and meetings, but rarely do they have their issues resolved. “We as an industry want to grow, which is normal practice in business, and our minister and government expect this as well,” said David Kays, HATAB Camps and Lodges sector representative. He stated that HATAB represents many companies, which expect to get answers for it and resolution of problems facing the sector. “This year, many of us attended another Tourism Pitso, and we had hoped that with our newly appointed minister, we would have had answers to the long outstanding concerns that we raise every year at the Pitsos,” he said.

Kays said they had hoped that the new minister would resolve their problems but this has not happened. “We were advised to hold mini Pitso’s with officials that could clarify and resolve these issues,” he said. He also said  government officials  usually do not attend these  Pitsos while the industry issues remain resolved.