STATEMENT BY THE RT HON PRIME MINISTER

 

DR B.S.S DLAMINI

 

 

AT THE LAUNCH OF THE KINGS CUP GOLF 2014

 

AT THE LIBANDLA ROOM, ROYAL SWAZI SUN HOTEL

MONDAY 14 JULY 2014

 

Honourable Ministers

Chief Executive Officers of Anchor Sponsors

Representatives of other sponsors

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

 

It is my honour, and indeed a great pleasure, to address the Launch of the 2014 King’s Cup here at the heart of the Ezulwini Valley. I bring to you all the cordial greetings of Their Majesties and those of His Majesty’s Government.

I regret any inconvenience caused by the last minute change of date for this event but I was called away on Government duties outside the country yet, at the same time, very keen on having to attend this function.

We are gathered here today to mark the Official Launch of one of the most popular and enjoyable events on the tourism industry calendar. Indeed, this is the tenth anniversary of the first year the King’s Cup was held. On every occasion we have seen a quite spectacular blend of good golf, warm friendship, generous sponsorship and an opportunity to bring many people, both from within and outside Swaziland, to see our beautiful Kingdom and the many tourist facilities.

 

His Majesty’s Government is aware of the enormous potential for economic growth that lies in our tourism industry. We have a unique environment that noone can take away or replicate elsewhere. And tourism is renowned as the greatest producer of jobs of any industry. For Swaziland, the growth of our tourism industry is the key, both to increasing GDP and creating a large number of new jobs.

Our youth will have a special part to play - with the energy, vibrancy and resilience that are some of the characteristics with which they are blessed at that age. And, as set out in Government’s Programme of Action, we have a new Tourism Development Strategy. This has an action plan that includes new product development to identify, and then market vigorously, the products that appeal to the domestic and international tourist - recognising, of course, that the two markets do not necessarily demand the same product.

 

The King’s Cup is an important promotional event and I task the Swaziland Tourism Authority to work very closely with the private sector in promoting the event, within and outside our borders, to attract the widest degree of participation in the King’s Cup.

I cannot over-emphasise the importance of securing good sponsorship to add to the resources that Government is investing in the tournament. It is an excellent investment for sponsors, giving themselves a highly visible profile in the event, as well as being seen to support a very worthwhile tourism promotional event. So, I take the opportunity to thank all those private sector enterprises who have provided sponsorship over the past ten years, and encourage them and others to invest in this year’s tournament.

You do, of course, need a point of contact regarding sponsorship, and that is the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Environment Affairs who heads up the organizing committee for this year’s King’s Cup.

 

With these few remarks it is my honour, on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, to officially launch the King’s Golf Cup Tournament of 2014.

 

Thank you.