In a bold initiative to alleviate the financial strain on tourism businesses seeking grading, the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) has declared the reinstatement of a grading support programme which will see tourism businesses qualify for up to a 90% discount on tourism grading fees.
The Tourism Grading Support Programme forms part of the Tourism Incentive Programme by the Department of Tourism and seeks to stimulate greater participation in the tourism grading system by reducing the cost burden of grading on small and emerging tourism enterprises.
Through the programme, the TGCSA also hopes to catalyse heightened conformity to quality standards in tourism, which will, in turn, enhance the overall visitor experience and improve South Africa’s standing as a competitive and desirable tourism destination.
“While the tourism sector is making excellent progress with arrivals, we are fully aware that many businesses, especially the small and medium enterprises, still require support. For this reason, we have decided to reintroduce the Tourism Grading Support Programme. Its new window opened in December 2023 and will run until March 2025. Thus, we call on all prospective and existing members to take advantage of this exciting opportunity by applying,” Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille said.
The programme offers substantial discounts on star-grading assessment fees for accommodation establishments and meeting venues. All qualifying applicants are eligible for an 80% discount on their grading assessment fees. Applicants with valid Tourism Marketing Levy South Africa (TOMSA) membership will be eligible for an additional 10% discount.
Minister de Lille encouraged owners of accommodation and MESE (meetings, exhibitions, and special events) establishments to apply for the support programme, adding that the application process is straightforward and can be effortlessly completed within minutes.
“All applicants must do is visit www.tourismgrading.co.za and complete the application form online. Applicants will then be prompted to upload the required supporting documents for their application,” de Lille said.
The supporting documents include a copy of a current and valid SARS Tax Clearance Certificate, a copy of an identity document (ID), a copy of relevant business registration documents such as the company registration document for CCs and Private Companies partnership agreement for Partnerships, trust deeds for Trusts identification document for Sole Proprietors, a certified copy of B-BBBEE certificate or an affidavit in the case of Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) to Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) with more than 51% black shareholding; and a copy of public liability insurance
New registrations need to be concluded by no later than 14 February 2024. Renewing members who are eligible for the programme must apply if their assessment is approaching, while those whose membership has lapsed are encouraged to reapply also by no later than 14 February 2024.
During the 2021/2022 financial year, 2 647 establishments were supported through the programme. The total monetary value of this support was R13 012 370.90 from the Department of Tourism, while the number of properties supported represents 73% of the number of graded establishments for that financial year.