6 8 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 4.11.3 Focus Areas • and Gas Association, and regional associations of regulators such as the Regional Electricity Ensuring the availability of sufficient, reliable and Regulatory Association by 2004; least cost energy supplies; • Target 2: Establishment of energy data banks and Using tourism as a vehicle for achieving sustainable planning networks by 2005; socio-economic development, poverty eradication • • C O M M U N I T Y and as a key incentive for the conservation and Target 3: Harmonization of energy sector policies, utilization of the region's natural resources; legislation, rules, regulations and standards by 2006 Providing efficient, cost-effective, safe and fully to facilitate energy market integration; integrated transport, communications and meteor- Target 4: Identification and strengthening centres of ology systems; excellence for energy research and technology Promoting the integrated water resources develop- development by 2008; ment and management and their equitable sharing of Target 5: Achieve100% connectivity to the regional the resource and benefits therefrom for the mutual power grid for all Member States by 2012; benefit of all. Target 6: 70% of rural communities have access to modern forms of energy supplies by 2018. 4.11.4 Strategies 4.11.4.2 4.11.4.1 Energy Tourism • Protocol by all Member States; Electricity: • • Promote power pooling through the extension of grid • action plans, and implementation programmes to upgrading/strengthening existing grids. promote intra-regional and international tourism; Consolidate the transformation of the Southern African • Brand SADC as a tourism destination of choice and Power Pool (SAPP) from a co-operative to a competitive promote SADC destination identity and compet- pool and create a regional electricity market. itiveness through marketing and promotion activities; • easing or removal of travel and visa restrictions and and the harmonisation of policies, regulations and harmonization of immigration procedures; and to legislation to facilitate cross border trade, improve facilitate movement of international tourists in the capacity utilisation, and cooperate in joint procurement of region in order to increase the market share and petroleum products in the world market. Cross-cutting Issues: Introduce a UNIVISA system to facilitate intra-regional travel for the development of tourism through the Promote joint exploration and development of resources, revenue of the region in world tourism; • Create an enabling environment to enhance competitiveness of the region as an attractive investment Improving access to affordable energy services to location and develop tourism-specific incentives to rural communities through rural electrification and • Cooperate in marketing and promotion strategies, interconnections to cover all Member States and Petroleum and gas: • Facilitate the signing and ratification of the Tourism development of new and renewable energy sources. encourage the growth of private sector initiatives in Institutional strengthening, human resources de- the sector; velopment, information collection, processing and • Promote community-public-private partnerships (CPPPs) in tourism development including SMEs, exchange, and research and technology development. women and youth; TARGETS Target 1: Establishment and strengthening of private sector regional associations such as the Petroleum • Encourage development of SADC Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCAs) and tourism-based Spatial Development Initiatives (SDIs) as tourism product varieties;