To help the industry make the most of the opportunities provided by South Africa’s hosting of the G20 Summit, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) has launched its Free Grading Campaign.
Running until the end of February, this key initiative aims to increase the number of high-quality, graded establishments to ensure South Africa is well-prepared for the global spotlight of the G20 Summit.
Bronwen Auret, Chief Quality Assurance Officer for the TGCSA, says: “We are going to be welcoming guests from all over the world and we need to make sure that we are ready to receive them.”
Deputy Minister of Tourism Maggie Sotyu agrees, emphasising the importance of working to “enhance the overall visitor experience and promote the country as a premier tourism destination”.
She said MICE travellers, in particular, always look for quality assurance and accommodation establishments and small businesses are missing opportunities because places are not graded.
Around 40 heads of state are expected to attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg in November. Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille said:
"Together, members (G20, European Union and Africa Union) account for 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade and two-thirds of the world's population."
Throughout the course of this year, over 135 G20 meetings will be held throughout the country – including the Tourism Ministers G20 Meeting in Mpumalanga in September.
International standards
According to Auret, leveraging G20 opportunities starts with having your facility up to the globally recognised safety, environment and health standards required to host such an event.
“Grading is all about trust and quality assurance. It gives establishments an opportunity to distinguish themselves from other accommodation types and their competitors,” she said.
Outlining the process, Nelisiwe Yengwa, National Quality Assurance Manager for the TGCSA, said participants can apply online to be graded at www.tourismgrading.co.za. An assessor will then spend “a substantial amount of time taking you through the quality standards”.
The comprehensive grading system covers formal accommodation such as hotels, guest houses, self-catering, caravan and camping sites, backpackers and hostels, game lodges, nature reserves and venues.
Green Tourism Incentive Programme
With sustainability firmly in the spotlight for global travellers, the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) offers more support as a resource-efficiency incentive of the Department of Tourism with the objective of encouraging and supporting private-sector tourism enterprises in adopting responsible tourism practices.
The GTIP offers, among others, grant funding to qualifying small and micro enterprises on a sliding scale from 50-90% of the total cost of implementing resource-efficiency interventions. It is capped at R1 million.
The 10th GTIP window period for applications is open from until February 28.
Read the GTIP brochure for more information or download the GTIP application form.
