JOHANNESBURG, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- South Africa will train 2,300 monitors nationwide to boost security in tourism centers, Deputy Minister of the Department of Tourism Maggie Sotyu said on Tuesday.

Sotyu made the remarks in Polokwane, the capital of Limpopo Province, during the opening of the National Tourism Careers Expo (NTCE), which is scheduled to run from Tuesday to Thursday.

"For this financial year, the department has planned to train 450 unemployed youth in various skill development programs and 2,300 tourism monitors through Expanded Public Works Program funding," said Sotyu.

Last year, South Africa spent 174.5 million rand (about 9.9 million U.S. dollars) to train 2,300 tourism safety monitors, who were later deployed at various tourism resorts across nine provinces of South Africa. A total of 276 small, medium, and micro enterprises in the tourism sector were trained on occupational health, safety norms, and standards for safe tourism operations, according to Sotyu.

"It is important that we continue to work with our partners to identify essential skills that are required in the sector. Our approach is to assist people to upskill and future-proof themselves in the changing work environment to make an impact in elevating poverty, unemployment, and inequality," said Sotyu.

The tourism department also revealed that about 10,000 learners, educators, and unemployed youth are expected to participate in this year's NTCE.

South Africa is moving to boost security and safety at the tourism centers following a recent spate of robberies of foreign tourists. Enditem

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