The responsibility of Tourism Business Development is to undertake tourism development planning, investment promotion and small business support and development. This work is guided by the objective of transforming the tourism industry for the benefit of all South Africans.

Transformation

We recognize that our industry remains characterized by large disparities in access to opportunities and benefits, and in particular to opportunities in benefits for black people. We also recognize that our sector is largely white-owned and we are aware of the residual impact of this legacy of inequality and its continuing impact on efforts to ensure that a tourism and tourist-friendly culture takes root in our country. During the course of 2003, significant work on business support and development was undertaken under the auspices of the Transformation Forum which was strengthened through broadened representation to include SA Tourism, SANParks, South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the provinces.

On 07 May 2004 MIPTECH agreed to restructure the Tourism Transformation Forum into a MIPTECH working group. The Transformation Forum became the MIPTECH Transformation Forum Working Group (MTWG) and it now comprises only of the 9 provincial CEOs, SALGA, South African Tourism and THETA. The working group meets on a quarterly basis.

• Promote transformation in tourism products and services
• Facilitate the addressing of competitiveness gaps
• Promote tourism human resource development and transformation

The BEE Charter And Scorecard

On 08 May 2005 Minister van Schalkwyk launched the BEE Charter and Scorecard at the tourism Indaba in Durban . The BEE Charter and Scorecard aims to address the two main challenges, which the sector currently faces, namely:

• The need to become more globally competitive, and
• The need to include black people in the Tourism Sector.

Ms Kelebogile Molopyane
Tel: 012 310 3427
Fax: 012 320 4740
Email: kmolopyane@deat.gov.za

http://www.deat.gov.za/Documents/Documents/2004Sep23_1/BEE_scorecard_23092004.html

The Funding Review

Access to information and funding has always been highlighted as one of the major challenge that SMMEs face. The department therefore embarked on collecting information on all the association, programmes and companies that offer SMME assistance ranging from training to funding. In 2002 the first booklet was compiled. In 2003 the booklet was revised into the funding and support booklets and, in 2005 the 2 booklets were revised and compiled into a more comprehensive booklet- “How to start and grow your tourism business”. The booklet is currently being translated into 3 other languages; Tswana, Zulu and Afrikaans. The reviews of these booklets were done in conjunction with the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).

For more information please contact the following person:

Mr Tlhophane Nthatisi
Tel: 012 310 3876
Fax: 012 320 4740
Email: tnthatisi@deat.gov.za

How to start and grow your tourism business

The DEAT SMME Developement Programme

Through the DEAT SMME development program, the department is particially-compensating SMMEs for certain costs incurred in respect of attending international exhibitions. The purpose of this assistance is to encourage and assist South African companies to introduce their products to foreign markets by participating in recognized international exhibitions that are considered suitable to promote South Africa 's tourism trade. Applications considered not ready for the international market will be assisted in their development through the training and development programme offered by the Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP). The department will assist with the following exhibitions:

• ITB
• WTM
• Indaba
• Ad Hoc (Any other exhibition identified by the SMMEs but deemed worthwhile for both the SMME and South African tourism)

Ms Xoliswa Nyikana or Mr Tlhophane Nthatisi

Tel: (012) 310 3875 Tel: (012) 310 3876

Email: xnyikana@deat.gov.za Email: tnthatisi@deat.gov.za

SMME Training

Through TEP, the department has funded the development and implementation of a training programme aimed at and designed specifically for tourism SMMEs.

Successful businesses require an in-depth knowledge and understanding of business principles. Based on this, the training programme has been developed to cover four subject matters: Business Management, Finance, Marketing and Human Resources on a beginner, Intermediate and advanced level.

For more information on the programme please contact the following person:

Ms Joretha de Waal
Tel: (011) 804 5750
Fax: (011) 802 8448
Email: joretha.dewaal@eciafrica.com
Website: www.smmetourismtraining.co.za

SMME Database For Goods and Serices

The department together TEP has put together a database of prospective suppliers to supply goods and services. Companies that are interested in offering their services to the department may fill in a registration form to be added to the database.

In its efforts to support the Grading Council, the department will procure services from graded establishments.

Ms I Lensley or Ms S Sealetsa
Tel: (012) 310-3558 Tel (012) 310 3410
Fax (012) 320-3328 Fax (012) 320-3328
Email: ilensley@deat.gov.za Email: ssealetsa@deat.gov.za

Registration form

Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP)

TEP is a joint DEAT/Business Trust initiative. TEP's main objective is to encourage and facilitate the growth and expansion of SMMEs within the tourism economy resulting in job creation and growth in turnover. They identify, facilitate and foster commercially viable business transactions between industry players and SMMEs. TEP is able to assist tourism SMMEs in the following ways:

• Marketing Assistance for events
• Development of business and marketing plans
• Preparation and submission of tenders and proposals to become a supplier
• Training
• Attending exhibitions and conferences
• Certification and licensing
• Identification of service

Ms Nomsa Malebe
Tel: 011 804 5750
Fax: 011 802 8442
Email: nomsa.malebe@eciafrica.com

Tourism Investment Promotion 

The tourism sector has been identified by the South African Cabinet as one of the key priority economic sectors in South Africa , due to its potential to create much-needed employment, promote economic growth and achieve equity.

DEAT works closely with the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti), Provincial Investment Promotion Agencies (PIPAs), provincial tourism departments and local authorities to ensure that tourism priority areas, projects and infrastructure is effectively promoted to both international and domestic investors.

For more information please contact the following people:

Lisa-Ann Hosking
Director: Tourism Business Development
Tel: (012) 310 3746
Fax: (012) 320 4740
Email: lhosking@deat.gov.za

Kate Rivett-Carnac
Director: Tourism Section
Tel: (012) 394 1185
Fax: (012) 394 2185
Email: katec@thedti.goc.za