Department Of Tourism Efforts, Tourism is highlighted in the New Growth Path and National Development Plan (NDP) as a
catalyst to create jobs, alleviate poverty and eliminate inequality.
The sector’s ability to grow export earnings and to stimulate small enterprise and rural development supports more inclusive economic growth, which is one of the six priorities underpinning South Africa’s 2030 vision.
The National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) emphasises the need to transform the sector. The Tourism Act (Act 3 of 2014) provides for the National Department of Tourism (NDT) to introduce initiatives, programmes and mechanisms to develop and grow the tourism sector. The Tourism Incentive Programme aims to stimulate tourism development that is sustainable, inclusive and improves the competiveness of our destination and the entire tourism sector.
The pilot phase commenced in the 2015/16 financial year, wth additional programmes to be introduced in subsequent years.
During the pilot phase the programme will improve market access and encourage participation in the tourism grading programme will be open for application. At the same time, the NDT will conduct pilot projects that focus on energy efficiency and product enhancement at tourism development projects in which the Department is involved.
Lessons from these pilot projects will inform the development of new programmes.
International Market Access Support Programme
This programme will broaden and facilitate access to specific tourism export markets to stimulate enterprise growth and expansion. The NDT will reduce the cost burden on small and medium-sized inbound tourism enterprises when they participate in international marketing platforms in line with the market focus of South African Tourism. These platforms may include trade exhibitions that allow access to a variety of international buyers in one place, or organised marketing roadshows and strategic trade missions to engage directly with selected buyers and other strategic partners.
Under this programme, the NDT will partially reimburse qualifying enterprises for some of the costs incurred by participating in identified exhibitions or roadshows. While the specific form of assistance may vary for each trade engagement supported, reimbursement of costs such as airfare, accommodation and exhibition fees will typically be considered at capped amounts. Please download the programme guidelines and application form by clicking on the links below.
In order to see the Application form you will need to download Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader lets you read and print any document created as a PDF file. Once you have opened the Application form in Adobe Reader you will be prompted to download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Font Pack in order to complete the Application form.
Tourism Grading Support Programme
This programme will improve conformity to quality standards that enhance the overall visitor experience and improve South Africa’s destination competitiveness. The programme will make grading assessments more affordable to encourage wider participation in the tourism grading system from accommodation and meeting exhibition and special event (MESE) establishments.
Under this programme, the NDT will offer a structured system of rebates for which enterprises can apply for, once their assessment fees have been paid to the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA). All applications for new or renewed membership to the TGCSA since January 2015 will be considered. Rebates will be offered on an incremental basis and will range between 30% and 50% of the amount invoiced by the TGCSA. An additional rebate will apply to enterprises that have made deliberate efforts to ensure compliance to sector transformation criteria. Please download the programme guidelines and application form by clicking on the links below.
In order to see the Application form you will need to download Adobe Reader. Adobe Reader lets you read and print any document created as a PDF file. Once you have opened the Application form in Adobe Reader you will be prompted to download Adobe Acrobat Reader DC Font Pack in order to complete the Application form.
Looking ahead
The introduction of the Tourism Incentive Programme is the start of a process through which the NDT will progressively introduce a series of support measures to increase competitiveness and drive sustained tourism growth.
Based on the outcome of the pilot phase, initial programmes may be refined or expanded in subsequent years, while new programmes that focus on specific areas (such as retro-fitment for energy efficiency and universal accessibility) will be introduced.
For enquiries and more information on the programme, please contact the Department on Tel. 0860 121 929 or send an email to [email protected]