Minister stresses importance of aviation

A South African government minister has stressed the importance of a competitive aviation industry to attract more people to the country.

A government minister in South Africa has said that the aviation market must be optimised to attract as many visitors as possible to the country.

Speaking at a national travel conference this week, environmental affairs and tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said that the aviation is "key to the growth and expansion of tourism in South Africa".

The government has identified a number of key markets that are seen as essential for the growth of South African tourism, among which is the UK, BuaNews reports.

Other important markets for the African country include Australia, France, Germany, Kenya and the Netherlands.

Collectively the identified areas could offer a substantial boost to the 8.3 million visitors to the country in 2006, Mr Van Schalkwyk said.

The minister said that aviation must be optimised and expanded and gave the example of flights from London to Sydney, which he claimed are 40 per cent cheaper than flights to Johannesburg, despite the latter being 12 hours shorter.

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Minister Stresses Importance Of Aviation