​​The Department of Tourism will roll out a Relief Fund to assist distressed Tourist Guides who have been impacted by the countrywide Disaster Management Measures to mitigate the Covid-19 pandemic.

This follows an announcement by Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane of a R30 million fund that will provide financial relief of R1500.00 for each eligible Tourist Guide for a period of three (3) months. The relief will be applicable to registered freelance tourist guides who operate independently (without any formal employment), without formal businesses in place.

“The Covid-19 pandemic continues to have a devastating effect on tourism, and many Tourist Guides have been left destitute without any form of income." 

“We have put aside R30 million to financially assist tourist guides over the next three (3) months as the country slowly begins to ease Disaster Management regulations, and re-open some sectors of our economy," said Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.

The Relief Fund for Tourist Guides will be administered through a 'no application process.' Information on Guides will be sourced from the databases maintained by the Provincial Registrars of Tourist Guides in all nine (9) provinces. This information will be sent to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) to verify and validate where necessary.

Registered tourist guides, who have valid identification according to DHA and who are not registered with UIF nor claimed any financial support through the Tourism Relief Fund, will receive financial relief from the Department.

“Provincial Registrars will ensure that all the relevant information on their respective databases are correct, particularly the contact details of all their tourist guides." 

“We encourage all Tourist guides to provide their updated contact information to their respective Provincial Registrars. This is crucial, as cardless payments will be made in order to expedite the payment process." 

“Once this exercise is completed, freelance tourist guides that meet the requirements will receive payment relief of R1500 per month for 3 months. It may not be much, but we believe

it will go a long way in covering some of the Tourist Guide's immediate needs," added Minister Kubayi-Ngubane.

For any queries related to this fund, please contact the departmental call centre at 086 0868 747 or email callcentre@tourism.gov.za

Tourist guides: enquiries relating to the database of Tourist Guides at provincial level, contact the Provincial Registrars as follows:​

Media inquiries, contact:
Hlengiwe Nhlabathi-Mokota (Spokesperson: Ministry of Tourism)
Cell: +27647548426
Email: hnhlabathi@tourism.gov.za
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