The City of Cape Town and Cape Town Tourism (CTT) have included a Business Incubation Programme – targeted at small, medium and micro enterprises – in their plans for a sustainable future for the tourism sector.

“Tourism is and will remain a key industry in our city and it is central to our economic recovery,” said Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Opportunities and Asset Management, James Vos.

Vos cohosted a webinar last week with CEO of CTT, Enver Duminy, in which they briefed attendees on the city’s action plan in three phases – Containment, Adjustment and Recovery – with Duminy highlighting that the Business Incubation Programme would be created by partnerships with industry specialists.

“The city will focus on a responsible tourism approach as we must ensure economic growth that will create job creation and social upliftment of our people through tourism,” said Vos. “A key part of our recovery will also include the launch of a tourism schools programme to improve the understanding of the new normal by our future leaders and tourism entrepreneurs.”

Recovery plans also include an investment in airport branding in key source markets, with tailored messaging to international markets. A Smart City app will also be launched, allowing easy, interactive access to information in the Mother City.