The Department of Tourism’s Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) – established in 2017 to partially cover retrofitting tourism facilities with energy and water efficiency equipment – has approved 216 applications with a total grant value of over R140 million (€7.1m).
Provincial distribution of the GTIP approvals shows domination by the Eastern Cape (53), Western Cape (48) and Gauteng (34) followed by Limpopo (22), KwaZulu-Natal (20), North West (15), Mpumalanga (12), Northern Cape (eight) and Free State (four).
Among her outreach activities, Tourism Minister Patricia de Lille has inspected solar PV installations at two Gauteng-based tourism establishments – the Timosha and The View guesthouses – that benefit from the GTIP.
Timosha, a three-star, 100% black woman-owned establishment qualified for grant funding of 90% of the implementation cost – equivalent to R730 000 (€37 100) – for proposed energy and water-saving interventions.
The installations were completed in February 2024 and a savings verification will be conducted to determine the impact over time.
The View, also 100% black woman-owned, qualified for 86% of implementation costs, equating to R626 000 (€32 000).
De Lille said the programme is instrumental in assisting South African tourism businesses to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change and ensure they are protected against water and electricity disruptions.
“I encourage all tourism businesses to take up this amazing opportunity by applying for funding from the incentive programme. This is a key example of how government is creating an enabling environment for businesses to grow and thrive.”
GTIP was developed in collaboration with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in response to escalating electricity prices coupled with energy supply challenges, load shedding and general water scarcity, which pose a significant risk to the future growth and sustainability of the tourism sector.
The Department of Tourism has opened 10 application windows between November 2017 and September 2024. The current application window will remain open until February 28, 2025.
Phase 1 of the application process involves a resource efficiency audit with the cost fully covered under the programme. Phase 2 enables an applicant to apply for 50-90% grant funding up to R1 million (€51 000) for the cost of installing relevant technologies and equipment recommended by the audit.
The IDC, as the Department of Tourism’s implementation partner, receives all GTIP applications and administers the programme.
Efficiency solutions supported under the programme may include:
- Renewable energy generation (such as solar and wind systems)
- Energy-efficient equipment and lighting (such as solar water heaters, gas stoves and LEDs as well as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems)
- Water-efficient appliances and systems
- Water-sourcing systems (such as rainwater harvesting and greywater recycling installations)
Tourism businesses are encouraged to visit the websites of either the Department of Tourism (www.tourism.gov.za) or the IDC (www.idc.co.za) for details.
