The TTGIIP is a two-year development programme that  supports tech-savvy entrepreneurs, between the ages of 18-35, to develop technologies to facilitate the introduction of new concepts that will revive, sustain and create jobs in the Tourism sector.

The programme aims to:

• Inspire innovation amongst enterprises in the travel and hospitality sector,
• Empower youth & women in tourism business operations,
• Facilitate commercialisation and market access funding in the travel and hospitality businesses, and
• Create new jobs and facilitate skills development.

TTGIIP focuses on four key elements of business development, namely:

• The business management skills of the entrepreneur through skills development and training,
• The enterprise idea and prototype design and development, business viability and market testing, regulatory compliance, business financial/ risk structure and quality standards,
• Facilitate start-up funding and venture capital for business expansion, and
• Facilitation of market and trade linkages for commercialisation of enterprises.

Technology advancements play a fundamental role in the growth and sustainability of tourism. The TTGIIP will create opportunities on the demand and supply side of tourism - empowering communities, promoting inclusiveness and driving the socio-economic recovery of the sector.

Meet our Tourism Innovators: 

In the 2020/2021 financial year, the Department opened the application window for entrepreneurs to participate in the TTGIIP.  Applicants were afforded an opportunity to bid and have their innovative tourism tech-solution selected and financed. The following twenty (20) entrepreneurs were selected to participate in a two-year development programme that includes idea finalisation, prototype development, a commercialisation plan, venture capital and other investment financing, market testing and eventual graduation.