3 0 S O U T H E R N A F R I C A N D E V E L O P M E N T C O M M U N I T Y The RETOSA Charter, which is in force, is also gener- The tradition national accounts methods have ally in line with the objectives and Common Agenda of therefore failed to summarise the total contributions to SADC. growth, employment, balance of payments, trade The Business Plan of RETOSA is generally responsive to the creation and poverty alleviation. As a result, the strategic priorities of SADC. However, there is need to vigorously development of tourism activities has not enjoyed the market the region as a preferred destination. The five year tourism strategy is outdated and needs to be reviewed. It was developed and implemented before the protocol came into being. The tourism policies and strategies are focused on joint marketing and branding the SADC region as a preferred destination for tourists; on increased private priority it should, particularly when it comes to resource allocation. The challenge is to develop methodologies on how best to capture tourism sector activities in national accounts and balance of payments estimates so as to be accorded priority in national budgets. The other challenge for the SADC region is to put in investment flows into the region; and promoting the place a conducive environment for the growth of the development of quality infrastructure and services. To tourism industry through a well thought out policy mix implement these policies and strategies, the region that will focus on, amongst other things, the promotion needs to put in place an efficient network of incoming of investment into tourism facilities by both the public wholesalers to programme and package comprehensive and private sectors; removal of barriers to tourism; and regional multi-destination tours; to sell these inter- the competitive marketing of the industry. nationally; and to handle incoming passenger flows. 3.3.3.3 Challenges in Current Policies and Strategies 3.3.4 TRANSPORT, COMMUNICATIONS AND METEOROLOGY (TCM) One of the most important challenges facing the sector is the review of the outdated five-year Tourism Development 3.3.4.1 Strategy, in line with the SADC Indicative Strategic Transport, Communications and Meteorology Policies Development Plan (RISDP). This will allow the sector to and Strategies comprehensively address the broader SADC objectives as well as the objectives of the Tourism Protocol. The other challenges include the development of programmes and projects to address professional marketing and communication; enhancing the role of the private sector in RETOSA; developing network destinations; developing strategies to attract investment in Tourism infrastructure; harmonization of tourism policies and laws in Member States; developing a tourism inventory (capacities, assets and attractions) for SADC; promotion of intra SADC Tourism and Univisa system; human and institutional capacity building and strengthening in order to lead the transformation process by implementing the The development of seamless, integrated, efficient, safe, cost effective and responsive transport, communications and meteorology systems is important to the realisation of the general objectives of SADC. The SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology, signed in 1996 and effected in 1998, provides the legal and broad policy framework for cooperation, and defines the strategic goals for the transport, communications and meteorology sectors. Specific policies and strategies are reviewed and evaluated separately below for the transport, communications and meteorology sectors. policies; putting in place safety and security measures; and the development of integrated tourism development 3.3.4.2 projects aimed at linking existing and future Transfrontier Transport Conservation Areas (TFCAs) in SADC. Tourism services are cross sectoral in nature, its 3.3.4.2.1 services and benefit are usually captured under a set of Review of Current Policies and Strategies sectors such as transport, hospitality industry, trade, The strategic goals for the transport sector include, services and manufacturing. among others: