Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
South African Tourism Call Centre E-Tools Facebook Twitter
Tourism Incentive Programme

 Tourism Incentive Programme

Background

The Tourism Support Programme (TSP) launched in 2008/09, is one of the 11 incentive programme administered by the Department of Trade and Industry and set to run for a 6 year period until 2014/15. At the same time, in 2009 the National Department of Tourism was established as a standalone Ministry responsible for the policy and strategy development for the sector. As part of the process to develop policies and strategies that will bring about a better coordinated tourism development programme, instruments key to this development residing outside the department were reviewed.

The Tourism Support Programme was identified as one such programme operating outside the department, but influencing the development of tourism through the reimbursable cash grant that aimed to support the development of tourism enterprises and stimulate job creation, black economic empowerment and increase the geographic spread of tourism investment.

Transfer of the TSP to the National Department of Tourism

In 2011 the National Tourism Sector Strategy was launched. With the strategy in place Cabinet took a decision in early 2012 to transfer the Tourism Support Programme from the Department of Trade and Industry to the National Department of Tourism to achieve better alignment of the programme and national tourism strategy.   This decision was also captured in the Industrial Policy Action Plan of 2011/12 – 2013/14 indicating that the transfer will take place during the 2011/12 financial year but the programme will remain in the Department of Trade and Industry business plan during this transition and once this process is concluded the item will reflect in the NDT business plan.

In giving effect to this decision the Department of Trade and Industry as the transferring department issued a statement announcing the last day for new applications as the 28 September 2012 with the programme transferred to the National Department of Tourism from the 1st October 2012. This meant that all applications received and/or processed prior to 1 October 2012 will remain the responsibility of the Department of Trade and Industry to administer, finalise and disburse any payment on claims submitted by current clients.

On the 1st of October 2012 the process to transfer the programme to NDT commenced. As a result the TSP was closed and no new applications are accepted under the existing programme to allow for the alignment process and a review to take place which will inform the development of a new programme. The Department of Trade and Industry continues to administer the programme for applications received by the 28th September and sufficient funding has been put aside for this purpose. In 2013/14 the National Department of Tourism will establish a component to develop and manage the new incentive programme with new criteria and NTSS aligned objectives. This will then allow for the re-launch of the programme in early to mid-2014 where the focus will be on awareness and acceptance of new applications.

Feedback/Comment

As we are currently reviewing and aligning the TSP to the Tourism Sector Strategy, we welcome your inputs and comments that will enhance the process by providing innovation that will make the programme work for our stakeholders. To give inputs please click here.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Question:                     ​ I submitted a proposal with the Department of Trade and Industry (dti) which is   currently being processed. Will this be transferred to the department?​
Answer:​ ​All applications submitted by the 28th September 2012 and those already approved by the dti will continue under the administration of the dti. No new applications are accepted by the dti and no applications have been transferred to the National Department of Tourism. All follow up enquiries should be made directly with the dti.
Question:​​ We have proposals we want to submit. Where do we send them to?
Answer:​​ ​The programme is currently closed for applications and under review and will be re-launched with revised benefits and qualifying criteria in April 2014. Should you have any inputs that you would like to be considered in the review, please send email tsp@tourism.gov.za
Question:​​ Who do we contact at the dti to follow up on old applications?
Answer:​​ ​All enquiries related to old applications (prior to 1 October 2012) should be addressed to:
Ms Francisca Strauss – dti Spokesperson
Chief Director: Manufacturing Cluster
Telephone: +27 (0) 12 394 1259
E-mail: Fstrauss@thedti.gov.za
Question:​​ When is the new programme reopening for new applications?
Answer:​ ​ During the 2014/ 2015 financial year.
Question:​​ What is the criterion for the new programme?
Answer:​ ​The new criteria has not been finalised and will be developed as part of the review and alignment process taking place during 2012/13.
Question:​​ Who do we contact at the National Department of Tourism regarding the new TSP?
Answer:​ ​Mr Tlhopane Nthatisi
Industrial Development
Telephone: +27 (0) 12 444 6583
Email: tnthatisi@tourism.gov.za
Question:​ Are there any other government programmes similar to the incentive programme we can access?
Answer:​​ ​The Black Business Supplier Development Programme administered by the dti.