Global Courant 2023-05-05 00:33:21
Download logo
The Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) is pleased to announce the launch of the first-ever Growth for Jobs Tourism Challenge Fund, requesting organizations undertaking tourism development projects or programs in the Tourism Infrastructure Support and Tourism Product Development Support categories to apply for project financing.
Mireille Wenger, Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, welcomed the launch of the fund: “Our tourism and hospitality sector was hit hard by the COVID pandemic, but has made a remarkable recovery over the past year, with international arrivals making up 100% of their 2019 figures reached in February this year. To enable future growth, we need to remove barriers that hold back the industry, ensure we get the basics right, and help small businesses add new and exciting experiences while investing in infrastructure that will unlock success. This is what growth for jobs is all about.”
Minister Wenger continued: “An important aspect of this fund is that it challenges the tourism ecosystem to co-invest as partners, to ensure we get maximum impact with the resources at our disposal. Cooperation with the private sector is essential if we are to achieve a much higher level of economic growth in the province.”
To help achieve our Growth for Jobs goals, the first category of the fund will support regional and local tourism organisations, industry associations and district and local authorities to improve high-volume tourist attractions through the development or upgrade of tourism infrastructure and/or or place making/embellishment activities. .
Minister Wenger added: “Tourism infrastructure upgrade means the improvement or development of existing or new infrastructure necessary to ensure that tourists can visit attractions and experiences in a safe, clean, comfortable and accessible manner. Examples of tourism infrastructure include paths, walkways, signage, street furniture, public lighting, public restrooms, shelters, shelters, and more.”
The second category of support is providing financial support to improve and/or expand cooperation programs and projects aimed at helping SMEs develop tourism products.
Minister Wenger added: “This includes product and/or experience development, assistance with access to finance, marketing and branding, and providing bespoke support such as machinery, equipment, licensing and accreditation, to name but a few. The fund will prioritize private sector initiatives aimed at boosting high-yield forms of tourism, including halal, adventure, gastronomy, heritage and sustainable tourism.”
Interested companies/organisations have until midnight on Monday 22 May 2023 to apply online. More information about the application process can be found here: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/site-page/economic-sector-support-g4j-tourism-challenge-fund
Minister Wenger concluded: “Tourism is an incredible catalyst for growth and job creation in both urban and rural communities in our beautiful county. It was the driving force behind the Western Cape achieving 99% of South Africa’s employment growth in the last quarter QLFS release. It is for this reason that we focus on unlocking and enabling its future success. We encourage you to be a part of this exciting journey.”
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of the Republic of South Africa: Western Cape Provincial Government.
This press release is issued by APO. The content is not checked by the African Business editors and none of the content has been checked or validated by our editors, proofreaders or fact-checkers. The publisher is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
