CAREER EXPO HIGHLIGHT IMPORTANCE OF COLLABORATION

He emphasized that the expo would play a vital role in providing learners with valuable insights into potential career paths within the tourism industry.

Mahlatji was speaking on behalf of the Executive Mayor Cllr Mamedupi Teffo. The 2024 National Tourism Career Expo was held from 08 to 10 October at Peter Mokaba Stadium under the theme, ” Tourism and Peace- 30 years of connecting people, places and cultures.”

The Deputy Minister of Tourism Ms. Maggie Sotyu officially opened the 2024 (NTCE) targeting learners, educators and unemployed youth from across South Africa. The expo highlighted how our country’s diversity has peacefully brought us together under a democratic South Africa, and how tourism continues to promote peace, justice, cultural appreciation, social cohesion, and economic growth.  

“We are excited that the NTCE is held in the thriving Limpopo Province. As a cradle of our cultural and wildlife heritage, the Limpopo Province contributes immensely to the tourism economy, offering unique cultural and nature experiences that consistently draw-in international and domestic visitors.” 

“The NTCE is a leading platform for communicating career, entrepreneurial and the educational prospects and opportunities for youth in the tourism sector. Hosting the event in the City of Polokwane elevate the Province’s capacity to host large conferences, meeting and exhibitions introducing a MICE clientele in the offerings,” Deputy Minister of Tourism, Maggie Sotyu said.  

The NTCE is collaborative initiative between the Department of Tourism (DT), the Culture Arts, Tourism, Hospitality & Sport Education Training Authority (CATHSSETA), the Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism (LEDET), and its provincial marketing agency the Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA) that will host the NTCE for the next three years from 2024 till 2026.  

Entrance to the 2024 NTCE was free and included motivational talks by leading local sector entrepreneurs and personalities, tourism educator seminars, exhibitions by local tourism products and related services. It also featured the following live engagements that were poised to captivate learners:

• The Chefs Corner will provide a physical demonstration of the culinary arts. Learners were enthralled by the cook-offs hosted by the graduates of the National Youth Chefs Training Programme that is facilitated by the South African Chefs Association. This was a firm favourite for youth interested in a culinary career.
• The Mixology Corner brought the art of creating fun, enjoyable beverages to life. Mixology is a special craft and an age-old tradition of skillfully mixing various drinks and ingredients to create cocktails with or without alcohol. While mixology and bartending are related, it is generally accepted that a mixologist creates innovative cocktails often using unique or uncommon ingredients and researches and reimagines classic cocktails. 
• Hospitality Corner: The Hospitality Corner offered insight into the diverse range of careers from hotel and event management to casino directors.  
• Conservation Corner: Nature conservation had a direct impact on the future sustainability of tourism. Youth interested in nature and tourism gained insight into how to join this industry.
• The Virtual Classroom and Recruitment Arena is the place where job seekers engaged with potential employers and got the low-down on job hunting, what employers were looking for, how to craft a CV and how to prepare for interviews. 
• The Digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) corner introduced the youth to new and exciting careers opportunities that were driven by technological advancements such as digital tours, and innovative tourism solutions that are enhancing traveler experiences. 
• Educators’ Seminar provided an opportunity for educators to interact with speakers from various institutions, industry bodies and tourism organisations.