By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Tourism Career Expo (NTCE) through its initiatives and engagements, showcased the limitless possibilities within the tourism industry.
The NTCE is an opportunity for information sharing among tourism curriculum experts and other stakeholders, including educators and learners, on the diverse careers available in the sector.
Since its inception in 2008, the NTCE continues to draw thousands of learners and educators across the country to the three-day showcase of tourism careers and opportunities.
For the first time, the 2024 event is taking place at the renowned Peter Mokaba stadium in Limpopo.
Limpopo was awarded the bid to host the event for the next three years.
Themed “Tourism and Peace: 30 years of connecting people to places and cultures”, the expo aims to inspire and uplift young people to think outside the box and pursue sustainable livelihoods in tourism through innovation, entrepreneurship and government-led programmes.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Makgotso Sotyu, delivered a keynote address with an inspiring speech that underscored tourism’s dynamic role in connecting diverse cultures and driving economic expansion.
Sotyu urged attendees to embrace the facilities and initiatives offered by the government and its partners and to become leaders who propel the tourism sector to new heights.
She emphasized that tourism is not merely a career but a means to contribute to societal progress and personal fulfillment.
Sotyu also stressed the importance of adopting an inclusive and transformative approach to ensure that these opportunities are accessible to everyone, especially youth, women, and individuals with disabilities.
The Department of Tourism, Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA), Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), and the Limpopo Tourism Authority (LTA) all joined forces, showcasing a collective ambition to leverage tourism for sustainable economic progress.