Unlocking Career Opportunities: The 2023 National Tourism Careers Expo

Deputy Minister of Tourism, Fish Mahlalela, officially inaugurated the 13th edition of the ‘National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE)’ in 2023, a pivotal event designed to illuminate a wide array of career opportunities for learners and unemployed youth. The launch, coinciding with Heritage and Tourism Month, took place at the iconic Maropeng Visitor Centre – Cradle of Humankind, nestled in the northwestern region of Gauteng. Under the banner of “Tourism Investments for People, Planet, and Prosperity,” this year’s expo promises to be a game-changer.

A Unified Initiative

The National Tourism Careers Expo is a collaborative endeavour involving various government entities, including the Department of Tourism, Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality, and Sport Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA), the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, and its provincial marketing agency, Gauteng Tourism Authority. Slated to run from September 29th to October 1st, 2023, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre – NASREC, the event is poised to draw in a crowd of up to 10,000 eager learners and educators.

Filling Information Gaps

 Since its inception in 2008, the NTCE has diligently worked towards bridging the information divide between the tourism industry and eager learners. It also serves as an invaluable platform for unemployed youth to engage directly with potential employers while exploring diverse career paths within the tourism sector. Moreover, the expo acts as a catalyst for career opportunities in temporary employment and business for surrounding communities in Soweto, Riverlea, and Nasrec.

A Theme with Purpose

 In his address, Mahlalela conveyed the Department of Tourism’s commitment to using the expo as a driving force for the National Tourism Sector Strategy’s goal of generating an additional 300,000 tourism job opportunities by 2026. South Africa grapples with a dire youth unemployment crisis, a ticking social time bomb that demands swift and decisive action. The chosen theme reflects the collective investment of the government, sector stakeholders, and the private sector in tourism to create a multitude of carrier opportunities.

Mahlalela elaborated, stating, “The theme also encapsulates our vision of being a leading platform for conveying career paths, job prospects, entrepreneurial opportunities, and further education avenues within the tourism sector. Our mission is to inspire both current and aspiring tourism learners and unemployed youth to reach new heights in their pursuit of tourism careers and professional opportunities.”

A Pivotal Economic Driver

Mahlalela emphasized that the tourism sector stands as a critical intervention area within the government’s Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, playing a vital role in propelling the nation’s economic resurgence. Furthermore, the minister highlighted the development of a tourism sector recovery plan founded on three interconnected pillars: protecting and rejuvenating supply, reigniting demand, and fortifying enabling capabilities for long-term sustainability.

Endless Horizons Mahlalela enthused, “Tourism is a people-centric interactive service industry dedicated to crafting unforgettable travel experiences. The travel and tourism sector thrives on fierce competition, innovation, and constant adaptation to emerging trends and technologies.” He underscored that the realm of tourism offers boundless career opportunities, ranging from food and beverage roles, cruise ship careers, transport and adventure tourism, travel trade, events and conferences, tour operators, tourism entrepreneurship, to travel blogging.

Career Opportunities

Showcasing Excellence The 2023 NTCE will feature an array of captivating attractions, including motivational talks by prominent local tourism entrepreneurs and personalities, seminars for tourism educators, and exhibitions showcasing local tourism products and related services. Additional live engagements include:

1. The Chef’s Corner: A thrilling cook-off by graduates of the National Youth Chefs Training Programme, facilitated by the South African Chefs Association, providing insights into culinary careers.
2. The Mixology Corner: Unveiling the art of crafting delightful beverages. Mixology, a refined craft, involves skilfully mixing various drinks and ingredients to create cocktails, with or without alcohol. This corner promises innovation and creativity.
3. Hospitality Corner: Offering a glimpse into diverse careers, from hotel and event management to casino leadership roles.
4. Conservation Corner: Shedding light on the profound impact of nature conservation on the future sustainability of tourism, catering to youth interested in nature and tourism.
5. The Virtual Classroom and Recruitment Arena: A hub for job seekers to connect with potential employers, offering insights into job hunting, CV crafting, and interview preparation.
6. Educators’ Seminar: An opportunity for educators to engage with speakers from various institutions, industry bodies, and organizations.

For those interested in attending NTCE 2023, registration and additional information are available at www.gauteng.net. Don’t miss the chance to explore the diverse world of career opportunities in tourism.