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Township tourism

Tourism sector recovery plan (tsrp), tourism incentive programme (tip), tourism equity fund (tef), tourism grading support programme, green tourism incentive programme, south african tourism, tourism in the provinces  , top-10 reasons to visit south africa, traveller’s guide.

The mandate of the Department of Tourism  (NDT), as  outlined in the Tourism Act of 2014 ,  is to promote the growth and development of the tourism sector; promote quality tourism products and services; provide for the effective marketing of South Africa as a domestic and international tourist  destination;  enhance cooperation and coordination between all spheres of government in developing and managing tourism; and promote responsible tourism for the benefit of South Africa, and for the enjoyment of all its residents and foreign visitors. In recognition of tourism as a national priority with the potential to contribute significantly to economic development, the 1996 White Paper on the Development and Promotion of Tourism in South Africa provides for the promotion of domestic and international tourism. The National Tourism Sector Strategy provides a blueprint for the sector to meet the growth targets contained in the National Development Plan.

Attracting more tourists, growing the tourism economy and creating more jobs in the sector is vital to South Africa's  economic recovery efforts. The most recent data from Statistics South Africa and South African Tourism (SAT) show the sector is firmly on the road to recovery. In 2022, nearly 5,7 million tourists visited South Africa, and in the first quarter of 2023 the country received over two million visitors, more than double the amount in the same period last year. There was a 12, 3%  increase in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) trips taken during January and March 2023. 

South Africa has visa waivers for several African countries for a specified period and up to a maximum of 90 days, particularly in Southern African Development Community countries such as Tanzania, Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi and Botswana.

The e-visa system was initially launched for 14 countries and this was expanded to an additional 20 countries in 2023.

The implementation of the Tourism Sector Master Plan is expected to focus on enhancing destination marketing and working with all stakeholders including major global tech companies, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa, aviation sector, major hotel groups and the Township Tourism Associations, amongst others. Over the medium term, the department planned to continue its efforts to protect and reignite the demand for tourism to ensure that the sector lives up to its potential to contribute to South Africa’s economic growth.

To do this, it intended to focus on enhancing growth and development in the sector, thereby contributing to broader economic growth; enhancing and maintaining core tourism assets and infrastructure while creating work opportunities; and supporting historically disadvantaged tourism enterprises.

Most of the department’s activities are carried out through the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP), which, in the tourism sector, is aimed at enhancing and developing tourism infrastructure through labour‐intensive methods targeted at young people, women, unemployed people, people with disabilities and small, medium and micro enterprises.

The department aimed to implement spatial planning and infrastructure projects over the medium-term period to build capacity in township and rural economies, and is working to maintain infrastructure on properties managed by South African National Parks (SANParks).

These initiatives garner support for community‐based projects and ultimately contribute to tourism development and work opportunities in rural areas. These projects are primarily funded through the Working for Tourism programme, which forms part of the EPWP, to enable the creation of a targeted work opportunities over the medium term.

Air access is another key priority for NDT to bring more direct flights to South Africa and ensure that the planes also leave the country with travellers in order to grow reciprocal relationships with countries around the world.

The African Union (AU) has  also launched the Single African Air Transport Market, which aims to liberalise air transport on the continent and promote greater competition and connectivity. Air capacity has risen since 2022, with a 56% increase in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same quarter in 2022. In 2023, the country reached 1.8 million seats, and South Africa welcomed around 23 new routes.

New direct flights, such as Cape Town to New York and Washington by United Airlines commenced in 2022 and Air China resumed its direct flight to OR Tambo International Airport in March 2023. The LATAM flight from Brazil to OR Tambo International Airport also contributes to South Africa's appeal.

The township tourism sector is a vital one for South Africa's  economy and by mid-2023, the NDT was finalising plans to ensure all communities enjoy the full economic benefits of tourism.

The NDT planned to do this by broadening participation in the tourism value chain for South African Township and Village Tourism Association (SATOVITO) members and other businesses to develop new tour programmes into townships and villages while focusing on skills development and business acumen training.

SATOVITO is an inclusive organisation that aims to promote authentic, indigenous world standard tourism services and experiences.

It develops, represents and promotes township and village-orientated local, regional, provincial tourism association, businesses and indigents participating in the tourism sector. It aims to foster job creation by ensuring inclusive, sustainable development and transformation of the tourism sector, especially in townships and villages.

The TSRP is in line with the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan (ERRP) which was launched in November 2020. The ERRP aims to build a new economy and unlock South Africa’s true economic potential.

It identified tourism as one of the priority areas of intervention in the ERRP, especially with infrastructure development, mass public employment, green economy interventions, the inclusion of women and youth, and skills development.

The TSRP has three strategic themes namely: Reigniting Demand, Rejuvenating Supply and Strengthening Enabling Capability.

The effective implementation of the TSRP is anchored on the following seven strategic interventions:

• Implement norms and standards  for safe operation across  the tourism value chain to enable safe travel and to rebuild traveller confidence;
• Stimulate domestic demand through targeted initiatives and campaigns;
• Strengthening the supply-side through resource mobilisation and investment facilitation;
• Support for the protection of core tourism infrastructure and assets;
• Execute a global marketing programme to reignite international demand;
• Tourism regional integration; and
• Review the tourism policy to provide enhanced support for sector growth and development.

The  TIP  was  established  with the aim of  stimulating growth and developing the tourism sector by providing financial assistance to privately owned tourism enterprises. The Market Access Support Programme offers partial financial support towards the cost of exhibition space, return airfare, hotel accommodation to qualifying small  tourism enterprises  that wish  to participate  and exhibit at selected tourism trade platforms.

The Tourism Grading Support Programme (TGSP) supports small tourism enterprises in gaining greater access to markets, and encourage participation in the tourism grading system respectively. These programmes have since been revised and refined, while two additional programmes, the Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) and the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF) were added in 2017 and 2018 respectively to support the responsible tourism and transformation objectives of the department.

The TTF offers a combination of grant funding, debt finance and equity contributions to facilitate capital investment in new and expansion projects in the tourism sector.

In support of the objectives of enterprise development and transformation, the department will aim to fast-track the piloting of the TEF, which offers for capital investment in the form of grant funding to commercially viable  black‐owned tourism enterprises. The TEF is intended to fast-track transformation within the tourism sector. The facility provides a combination of debt finance and grant to facilitate equity acquisition and new project development in the tourism sector by black entrepreneurs.

The fund will also seek to develop skills and ensure that the sector is sufficiently equipped to meet increased demand and expectations by implementing capacity‐building programmes such as the wine service training programme, the hospitality youth programme, and food and beverage programmes.

The TGSP is a joint initiative between NDT and the TGCSA under the broader TIP  to encourage more accommodation and MESE (meetings, exhibitions, and special  events) establishments to get graded and stay  graded under the star grading system.

The programme aims to improve quality and standards of tourism offerings and gives discounts of up to 90% on grading assessment  fees for new and renewal grading applications. This is an important incentive as it supports  our quality assurance  programme that enhances overall visitor experience without putting additional burden on small enterprises.

The department is expected to implement the Women in Tourism (WiT) Programme as a platform to drive initiatives that support the development and empowerment of women in the tourism sector. This platform recognises the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs who are often found at the bottom end of the tourism economic value chain.

The GTIP is a resource efficiency incentive programme of the NDT whose objective is to encourage and support private sector tourism enterprises to adopt responsible tourism practices  by moving towards the sustainable  management and usage of energy and water resources.

The GTIP was launched in 2017  and through grant funding, assists private sector tourism enterprises in reducing the cost of investing in energy and water efficient solutions.

Implementing GTIP   funded  interventions  and  identified  solutions  will  not only ensure more responsible  operations and environmental benefits,  but after the projected payback  period,  the savings  will continue to reduce the overall operational cost of the enterprise with direct and sustained benefits in terms of profitability and improved competitiveness.

The programme is managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on behalf of the NDT and all applications and approvals are managed by the IDC.

The GTIP  broadly offers the following benefits to qualifying tourism enterprises:

• The full cost for a new resource efficiency audit or the full cost for reviewing an existing resource efficiency audit;
• Grant funding to qualifying small  and micro enterprises  on a sliding scale from 50%   to  90%   of  the total  cost  of  implementing resource  efficiency interventions, which is capped at R1 million; and
• Qualifying enterprises  may implement projects in phases  in order to better manage their cash flow over a two-year project implementation period.

The Tourism Act of 2014 mandates SAT to market South Africa internationally and domestically as  a preferred tourism and business  events destination while monitoring and evaluating the performance of the tourism sector.

In support of this, over the medium-term period, the entity planned to continue prioritising support to domestic, regional and international tourism.

Over the period ahead, SAT  planned to focus on efforts to bid to host events such as business meetings, conferences and exhibitions in rural areas and (small) towns to boost the tourism industry in six  focal sectors: mining and minerals, manufacturing, travel and tourism, agriculture, finance, and wholesale and retail trade.

Ensuring that visitors enjoy their experience is a key component of the entity’s work, and part of SAT's revitalisation plan entails assuring  that tourism establishments are of a high standard.

Tourism in the Provinces 

WESTERN CAPE

With  several  local  attractions  and  venues,  the  Western  Cape  is  one  of  the domestic travel destinations  in South Africa  preferred by foreign tourists.  The province is  bordered by two oceans  – the Indian Ocean to the south and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is also well known for its scenic beauty and a wealth of flora and fauna. With an abundance of hiking trails you have a choice between coastal or mountain hikes.

Key attractions

• Table Mountain, which forms part of the Table Mountain National Park , is one of the official New Seven Wonders of Nature, following a lengthy international public voting process. A modern cableway takes visitors to the top of the mountain, providing spectacular views.
• The Victoria and Alfred (V&A) Waterfront , the Company’s Gardens ,  the District Six Museum , the houses of Parliament and the South African National Gallery .
• The Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robben Island is in the Clock Tower Precinct at the V&A Waterfront. It houses interactive multimedia exhibitions, an auditorium, boardrooms, the Robben Island Museum and a restaurant.
• The South African Rugby Museum in Newlands reflects the history of the sport as far back as 1891.
• All South African wine routes fall under the auspices of the Wine of Origin Scheme.  Production is divided into official regions, districts and wards.  There are five principle demarcations – Coastal, Breede River Valley, Little Karoo, Olifants River and Boberg, covering 21 districts and 61 wards.
• Jazz is popular in Cape Town, ranging from traditional blues to African jazz. The top jazz event in the Western Cape is the annual Cape Town International Jazz Festival , affectionately referred to as “Africa’s Grandest Gathering”.

There are six very diverse regions, each offering a unique experience:

Cape Winelands

The Cape Winelands is known for some of the best wine in the world. It includes the towns of Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Worcester, Robertson and Ceres.

The Karoo is distinctively divided into the Great Karoo and the Little Karoo by the Swartberg Mountain Range, which runs east-west, parallel to the southern coastline, but is separated from the sea by another east-west range called the Outeniqua–Langeberg Mountains. The Great  Karoo  lies  to the north of the Swartberg range; the Little Karoo is to the south of it.

The Central Karoo features a semi-desert landscape in the centre of the province. It includes the towns of Prince Albert, Beaufort West, and Matjiesfontein; a town that’s a national monument due to the preservation of its Victorian Buildings The Little Karoo’s fascinating landscape is fashioned almost entirely by water. Its  vegetation ranges  from  lush  greenery  in  the fertile  river  valleys  to  short, rugged Karoo plants in the veld. Gorges feature rivers that cut through towering mountains, while breathtakingly steep passes cross imposing terrain. The region is also home to the world’s largest bird – the ostrich.

• Excellent wines and port are produced in the Calitzdorp and De Rust areas.
• The Swartberg Nature Reserve and Pass with their gravel roads are also worth a visit.
• The Little Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees (National  Arts  Festival) is held in Oudtshoorn annually.
• The Cango Caves , a series of 30 subterranean limestone caves, bear evidence of early San habitation and features magnificent dripstone formations.
• Amalienstein and Zoar are historic mission stations midway between Ladysmith and Calitzdorp.  Visitors can go on donkey-cart and hiking trails through orchards and vineyards. The Seweweekspoort is ideal for mountain biking, hiking, and protea and fynbos admirers.

City of Cape Town Metropolitan area

The City of Cape Town is best known as the Mother City and it’s the provincial capital and main city of the province.

Garden Route

The Garden Route stretches  along the southern coast  of the Western Cape.  It includes  Tsitsikamma National Park, Nature’s Valley,  Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and Oudtshoorn.

• Attequas Kloof Pass, South African/Anglo-Boer War blockhouses and the Bartolomeu Dias complex . Great Brak River offers a historic village with many opportunities for whale- and dolphin-watching along the extensive coast. The Slave Tree in George, located just outside the Old Library, was planted in 1811. It is known to be the biggest English oak in the Southern Hemisphere.
• Bungee-jumping at the Gouritz River Gorge, hiking, mountain-biking and angling are popular pastimes.
• The Point in Mossel Bay is popular among surfers and its natural pool formed by rock is also a favourite swimming spot at low tide.
• Genadendal is the oldest Moravian village in Africa, with church buildings and a school dating back to 1738. The Genadendal Mission and Museum complex documents the first mission station in South Africa.
• Villiersdorp houses the Dagbreek Museum that dates back to 1845. The historical home, Oude Radyn, is possibly the only building in the Western Cape to have Batavian wooden gutters and down pipes.

The Overberg is  one of the best  places  in Africa  to watch the southern right whale,  one of South Africa’s marine big five.  The towns in this region include Hermanus, Cape Agulhas and Bredasdorp.

The West Coast stretches along the Atlantic coast  of the Western Cape. The West Coast is where you will find the Cederberg Wilderness Area. Towns in the area include Clanwilliam, Langebaan and Citrusdal.

NORTHERN CAPE

The Northern Cape is an excellent sandboarding destination and a number of local operators offer sandboarding lessons and tours. The dunes near Kakamas and Witsand are very popular and expert boarders and novices are more than welcome – boards can be rented on arrival.

Adventure-tour companies specialising in dune boarding in South Africa advise you to bring: a camera to record the inevitable antics, lots of sunscreen and a sense of humour. Some of the more enterprising companies turn it into a fun day, complete with children’s dune boarding and picnics. This is a fun sport that will satisfy most peoples’ need for speed.

• The Big Hole in Kimberley is the largest hand-dug excavation in the world. In 1871, diamonds  were discovered  at  the  site  and  mined  manually  by prospectors.
• The house where Sol Plaatje (African National Congress founding member and human rights activist) lived in Kimberley, has a library of Plaatje’s and other black South African writers’ works,  and several displays, including a portrayal of black involvement in the South African/Anglo- Boer War.
• Known as the “Oasis of the Kalahari”, Kuruman is blessed with a permanent and abundant source of water that flows from Gasegonyana (Setswana for “the little water calabash”)  – commonly called the “ Eye  of Kuruman ” – which yields 20 million litres  of water a day.  The Wonderwerk Cave at Kuruman features extensive San paintings that may be viewed by appointment.
• The Kalahari Raptor Centre cares for injured birds. Many of these majestic creatures can be seen at close quarters.
• Upington is the commercial, educational and social centre of the Green Kalahari , owing its prosperity to agriculture and its irrigated lands along the Orange River. A camel-and-rider statue in front of the town’s police station pays tribute to the “mounties”, who patrolled the harsh desert territory on camels.
• Namaqualand is famous for a spectacular annual show in spring when an abundance of wild flowers covers vast tracts of desert.
• Namaqualand is also home to the Ais-Ais/Richtersveld National  Park . It is managed jointly by the local Nama people and South African National Parks.
• De Aar is the most important railway junction in South Africa. The author Olive Schreiner lived in the town for many years. Visitors can dine in her former house, which has been converted into a restaurant.
• Hanover is known for its handmade shoes and articles mademostly from sheepskin and leather.
• Mattanu Private Game Reserve offers the ultimate Kalahari game experience – there are roan, sable, buffalo, golden oryx, golden gnu and many other types of antelope and wild animals. One can view the animals on a quad bike, safari vehicle or even by helicopter.

This central region of South Africa is characterised by endless rolling fields of wheat, sunflowers and maize, and forms the principal bread basket of South Africa.

• With its King’s Park Rose Garden containing more than 4 000 rose bushes, the Free State’s major city, Bloemfontein, has rightfully earned the nickname “City of Roses.” The city also hosts an annual rose festival.
• Bloemfontein has a busy cultural and social-events calendar. One of the annual events is the Mangaung African Cultural Festival, popularly known as the Macufe Arts Festival , in September.
• The National Women’s Memorial commemorates the women and children who died in concentration camps during the Anglo-Boer/South African War.
• The Gariep Dam , more than 100-km long and 15-km wide, is part of the Orange River Water Scheme, the largest inland expanse of water in South Africa. The Gariep Dam Nature Reserve lies between the dam and Bethulie.
• Clocolan is known for the beauty of its cherry trees when they are in full bloom in spring. San rock paintings and engravings are also found in the area.
• The Llandaff Oratory in the nearby village of Van Reenen is believed to be the smallest Roman Catholic church in the world.
• At Harrismith, there are various memorials in honour of those who fought in the Anglo-Boer/South African War and World War I. Of particular interest is a memorial for the Scots Guards and Grenadier Guards.
• The Golden Gate Highlands National Park outside Clarens has beautiful sandstone rock formations.
• The Vredefort Dome , a World Heritage Site, is the oldest and largest meteorite impact site in the world. It was formed about two billion years ago when a giant meteorite hit Earth.

EASTERN CAPE

The Eastern Cape boasts a magnificent coastline that is complemented by more than 60  state-owned game reserves  and over 30  private game farms, which collectively cover an area greater than the Kruger National Park.

• Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) has some beautiful parks with well-landscaped gardens, including St George’s Park, which covers 73 ha.
• To the north-west of Graaff-Reinet lies the Valley of Desolation , which is a national monument within the Karoo Nature Reserve that was formed millions of years ago by weathering erosion.
• Varied game reserves, including the Addo Elephant , Mountain Zebra and Mkambati parks.
• South Africa’s first marine park, the Tsitsikamma National Park extends along a rocky coastline of 50 km, and 3 km out to sea.
• Southern right and humpback whales and their calves are regularly spotted from the high dunes, usually between May and November, while common and bottlenose dolphins are often seen close to shore.
• The Camdeboo National Park , near Graaff-Reinet, was proclaimed as South Africa’s 22nd National Park.

The Limpopo landscape is made up of dramatic contrasts  characterised  by hot savanna plains and mist-clad mountains, age-old indigenous forests and cycads alongside modern plantations, and ancient mountain fortresses  and the luxury of contemporary infrastructure and modern-day facilities.

• The Marakele National Park is home to some rare yellowwood and cedar trees and the world’s largest colony of Cape vultures. It is also a leader in the conservation of the black rhino.
• Polokwane is considered the premier game-hunting destination in South Africa.
• The Mapungubwe Archaeological Site, about 80 km west of Musina, lies within the boundaries of the Mapungubwe National Park . It is one of the richest of its kind in Africa and a world heritage site. Excavations in the 1930s uncovered a royal graveyard,  which included a number of golden artefacts, including the famous gold foil rhinoceros.
• The Kruger National Park   (northern section) is one of South Asfrica’s major tourist attractions. The park is home to a large number and wide variety of amphibians, reptiles and birds,  as well as 147 mammal species, including the Big Five (African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard and black rhinoceros).

North West has several cultural villages that entertain and attract visitors. A number of excellent game reserves have been established, including the Pilanesberg National Park.

• The historic route of Mahikeng includes an South  African/Anglo-Boer War siege site, the Molema House where Sol Plaatje lived while writing his Mafikeng Diary, and the Mahikeng Museum.
• The Groot Marico region is known as mampoer country and visitors can explore the Mampoer Route. The Kortkloof Cultural Village is dedicated to the Tswana people.
• Ottosdal is the only place in South Africa where the unique “wonderstone” or pyrophyllite, is found and mined.
• San rock engravings, Stone Age implements and structures are found on farms such as Witpoort, Gestoptefontein, Driekuil and Korannafontein.

Mpumalanga means “the place where the sun rises” in the Nguni languages. The climate and topography vary from cool highland grasslands  at 1 600 m above sea  level,  through the middleveld and escarpment, to the subtropical Lowveld towards  the  Kruger  National  Park   and  many  private  game  reserves. Scenic beauty,  climate and wildlife, voted the most attractive features of South Africa, are found in abundance in this province.

• Barberton features many reminders of the early gold-rush era. Museums include Belhaven, Fernlea House and Stopforth House. The only known verdite deposits in the world are found in the rocks of the Barberton district. The annual Diggers Festival is held in September every year.
• The spectacular Blyde River Canyon is a 26-km-long gorge carved out of the face of the escarpment, and is one of the natural wonders of Africa.  God’s Window provides a magnificent panoramic view across miles of densely forested mountains, the green Lowveld and the canyon.
• Sabie is the centre of the largest man-made forest in South Africa and a popular destination among mountain bikers.  The Cultural Historical Forestry Museum depicts various aspects  of the country’s forestry industry.
• The Bridal Veil, Horseshoe and Lone Creek waterfalls,  and Mac Mac pools and falls  just outside Sabie are well worth a  visit.  At the Montrose Falls in Schoemanskloof, the Crocodile River cascades into a series  of rock pools.
• The region also holds rich historical sentiments centred on the monument of the late Mozambican President Samora Machel , constructed in the village of Mbuzini.
• The World Heritage Site, the Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains,  comprises 40%  of the Barberton Greenstone Belt, one of the world’s oldest geological structures.

‘Gauteng’ is a Sesotho word meaning “place of gold”. It is the smallest province of South Africa and also the most populous and urbanized. It is characterised by a cosmopolitan mix of people from all walks of life. Key attractions

• Natural areas include the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve (Heidelberg); Braamfontein Spruit Trust ,  The Wilds on Houghton and the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve  in Johannesburg; the Kloofendal Nature Reserve   and Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens (in Roodepoort); and the National Botanical Garden , Smuts House Museum , and Freedom Park  in Pretoria;  as well as the Tswaing Crater .
• The Sterkfontein caves  near Krugersdorp are the site of the discovery of the skull of the famous Mrs Ples, an estimated 2,5-million-year-old  hominid fossil; and Little Foot, an almost complete hominid skeleton of more than 3,3 million years old.
• The Constitution Hill Precinct is set to become one of South Africa’s most popular landmarks.
• A guided tour of Soweto leaves a lasting impression of this vast community’s life and struggle against apartheid.
• The  Apartheid Museum  in Johannesburg tells the story of the legacy of apartheid through photographs, film and artefacts.
• The Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory opened its doors to the public following the death of former President Nelson Mandela in December 2013.
• The Union Buildings celebrated its centenary in 2013. Designed by Sir Herbert Baker, construction started in 1910 and was completed in 1913. It has since been the setting for presidential inaugurations. It is also the setting of many national celebrations, including Women’s Day and Freedom Day. In December 2013, a bronze statue of former President Mandela was unveiled at the Union Buildings.
• The National Zoological Gardens  in Pretoria is considered one of the 10 best in the world.
• The old mining town of Cullinan is where the world’s biggest diamond, the 3 106-carat  Cullinan diamond, was found.

KWAZULU-NATAL

One of the country’s  most popular tourist destinations,  the province stretches from Port Edward in the south to the borders of Eswatini and Mozambique to the north.

• The Durban area has a significant number of reserves, developed parks and specialised gardens, the most renowned being the Municipal Botanical Garden. Annual events in and around the city include the popular Comrades Marathon between Durban and Pietermaritzburg,  an international surfing competition, the Duzi canoe marathon, the Midmar Mile, Dolphin Mile open water swimming events and the Durban July Handicap horse race.
• The Weza State Forest in East Griqualand runs through indigenous forests and commercial plantations. The forest is home to several antelope species and a huge variety of birds.
• St Lucia and its surroundings comprise the iSimangaliso Wetland Park  that have five  separate  ecosystems. It is a fishing and bird watching paradise. Boat trips on the lake offer opportunities for crocodile and hippo sightings. The Kosi Bay Nature Reserve is part of the Coastal Forest Reserve between Mozambique and Sodwana Bay.
• The Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park , one of the largest game parks in South Africa, is home to the Big Five, as well as cheetah and wild dogs.
• The Battlefields Route in northern KwaZulu-Natal has the highest concentration of battlefields and related military sites in South Africa.
• The Midlands Meander is a scenic drive between Hilton and Mooi River, with some art studios, potters and painters, to herb gardens and cheese makers.
• Midmar Dam is zoned for yachting and power-boating while the 1 000-ha Midmar Game Park has rhino, zebra,  a wide variety of antelope species  and waterfowl.
• Affordable – In South Africa,  you can even afford luxury and have spending money for shopping and other treats.
• Natural beauty – South Africa’s  scenic wonders are legendary. From Table Mountain to God’s Window, the mountains, forests,  coasts  and deserts  will sooth your soul and delight you.
• World-class facilities – You will find it easy to get around, find a comfortable place to stay and have a great meal.
• Adventure – South Africa is the adventure capital of the world. With over 130 adventures,  there is something for everyone from mountain walks  to shark- cage diving.
• Good weather – In sunny South Africa with a great weather, you can enjoy the outdoors, play golf year-round and take advantage of the nearly 3 000 km coastline.
• Rainbow Nation – The Rainbow Nation celebrates all its African and immigrant cultures. South Africans are known for their friendliness and hospitality.
• Diverse experiences – Go almost anywhere in South Africa and experience the ultimate combination of nature, wildlife, culture, adventure, heritage and good vibe.
• Wildlife – The abundant and diverse wildlife include the Big Five (African lion, African elephant, Cape buffalo, African leopard and black rhinoceros).
• Freedom  Struggle  –  Discover   a   nation’s   struggle  for   freedom  whilst following the footsteps of Nelson Mandela, Hector Pieterson and many other celebrated revolutionaries.
• Responsible tourism – In  South  Africa  you can  travel  with care  as  you explore protected areas, contribute to social and conservation projects, and collect arts and crafts.

Traveller’s Guide:

Any person travelling in or out of the Republic of South Africa should unreservedly declare:

• All goods (including goods of another person) upon his person or in his possession which were purchased or otherwise acquired abroad or on any ship, vehicle or in any shop selling goods on which duty has not been paid; were remodelled, processed or repaired abroad, on arrival.
• Goods that are prohibited, restricted or controlled under any law;
• Goods that were required to be declared before leaving the Republic.
• Before leaving, all goods which a traveller is taking with them beyond the borders of the Republic,  including goods which are:
• Carried on behalf of another person;
• Intended for remodel, process or repair abroad;
• Prohibited, restricted or controlled under any law;
• Goods that a person, who temporarily entered the Republic, was required to declare upon entering the Republic.

Travellers must, upon request by a Customs Officer, provide the officer with full particulars related to the goods such as invoices, transport documents, proof of payment to supplier, letter of authority and any permits applicable to such goods. Further, travellers must answer fully and truthfully all questions put to him by such officer and, if required by such officer to do so, produce and open such goods for inspection by the said officer, and shall pay the duty and taxes assessed by such officer, if any.

What are your Duty-Free allowances?

The duty-free allowance only apply to goods for personal use or to dispose  of as gifts in accompanied travellers’ baggage declared by returning residents and non-residents visiting the Republic.

The following imported goods declared by travellers in their accompanied baggage may be exempted from paying any import duties and Value-Added Tax (VAT):

• New or used goods of a total value not exceeding R5 000 per person;
• Wine not exceeding 2 litres per person;
• Spirituous  and other alcoholic beverages,  a total quantity not exceeding 1 litre per person;
• Cigarettes not exceeding 200 and cigars not exceeding 20 per person; 250 g cigarette or pipe tobacco per person;
• Perfumery not exceeding 50 ml and eau de toilette not exceeding 250 ml per person.

Wine, spirituous and other alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and perfumery imported in excess  of the quantities specified  must be cleared  at the rates  of duty specified in Schedule No.1 (“Tariff”) to the Customs and Excise Act No.91 of 1964.

The aforementioned goods are commonly referred to as consumables or luxury goods and the rate of duty can  be considerably  high if travellers  exceed  the above quantities and must clear  those excess   quantities and pay  the import duties at the rates of duty specified in the tariff.

Even if goods are bought at an inbound duty-free shop, the duty-free allowance still applies upon arrival. Note: The duty-free allowance applicable to new or used goods to the value of R5000  person, is applicable in addition to the duty free allowance applicable to consumable goods.

What is your flat-rate assessment allowance?

• If  you have  goods  in excess   of  the R5  000  duty free  allowance  but not exceeding R20 000, you may elect to pay customs duty at a rate of full duty less  20%  (flat-rate) with VAT exempted instead of clearing the goods at the rates of duty specified in Schedule No. 1 (“tariff”) to the Customs and Excise Act of 1964;
• Goods in excess  of the R20  000 flat-rate assessment  threshold, pay import duties and VAT in accordance with the Harmonised System  description and originating status of goods.
• Conditions for duty free allowances:
• The duty-free allowances related to new or used goods is only allowed once per person during a period of 30 days,  following an absence of not less than 48 hours from South Africa;
• The flat rate assessment  allowance is only allowed during a period of 30 days and shall not apply to goods imported by persons returning after an absence of less than 48 hours;
• The  duty-free  allowances  related  to  wine,  spirituous  and  other alcoholic beverages, tobacco products and perfumery is only allowed once per person during a period of 30 days, following an absence of not less  than 48 hours from South Africa;
• The goods must be carried as accompanied baggage;
• The tobacco or alcoholic beverage allowance is  not applicable to persons under the age of 18 years.

What about handmade articles?

• Travellers can import handmade articles of leather, wood, plastic, stone or glass of up to 25kg for commercial purposes without paying duties or taxes.

What about goods coming in temporarily?

• You may be required to lodge a cash deposit as  security to cover potential import duty or VAT on certain articles  imported temporarily. Your refund will be paid after confirmation that the goods have left the country.
• To access the Customs external Policy Traveller Processing  SC-PA-01-11  visit the Customs page on the SARS website www.sars.gov.za .

Prohibited and restricted goods

• SARS administers certain prohibitions and restrictions on behalf of a number of government departments, institutions and bodies
• Prohibited means the goods are not allowed to enter or exit South Africa
• Restricted means goods are allowed to enter or exit South Africa under certain conditions e.g. permit or certificate is required.

To access a list of “Prohibited and restricted goods  SC-CC-32”, visit the Customs page on the SARS website   www.sars.gov.za . Note: Traders  and Travellers  must be aware of the Counterfeit Goods Act No. 37 of 1997 ,  which states that goods of inferior quality made or sold under another brand,  without the brand owners authorisation, is an infringement upon which civil and/or criminal proceedings may be taken against the offender.

Cash restrictions

• A traveller is allowed to declare and carry a maximum of R25  000/unlimited foreign currency, whether leaving or entering;
• A traveller shall declare whether or not he has with him any banknotes, gold, securities  or foreign currency; and produce any bank notes, gold, securities or foreign currency which he has with him;
• The South African bank notes is unlimited if the traveller is going to / coming from a country within the Common Monetary Area (CMA);
• Travellers  are advised to contact the South African Reserve  Bank  to obtain approval prior to taking cash across  the borders of South Africa;
• Although there’s technically no legal limit on how much money you can carry on a plane, if you are traveling internationally you must declare amounts of more than US$10,000 on your customs form, and be prepared for possible interviews with customs or law enforcement to explain the amount of money you have with you.

Southern African Customs Union (SACU)

The countries that fall under the SACU are Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Botswana  and Eswatini. Travellers from SACU member countries  do not pay customs import duties and are entitled to a VAT exemption on goods up to a value of R5 000.

When do I register for a customs code?

• Before  goods can be imported or exported, SARS may require a person or entity to formally license or register prior to conducting any activity regulated by the Act
• A person,  including a traveller,  who imports or exports goods of which the total value required to be declared is less than R150 000 during any calendar year is excluded from formal registration requirements.
• Persons excluded from formal registration requirements may make use of the registration code 70707070 subject to the following conditions:
• He/she is a natural person;
• Enters the goods for home consumption, temporary export or export;
• South African Revenue Service  taxpayer reference number; or
• South African identity document number, in the case  of a South African citizen  or  a  permanent resident  of  the  Republic,   or  passport  document number in the case  of a  person  who is  not a  South  African  citizen nor a permanent resident.

To register for a customs code

• You must complete the DA 185:  Application form: Registration/Licensing of
• Customs and Excise  clients, together with the relevant supporting annexure to the DA 185; or
• Use  the Electronic  Registration  System  and  complete the online version DA185 and the relevant online supporting Annexure.
• Customs Registration,  Licensing and Designation SC-CF-19.
• Excise  Licensing and Registration SE-LR-02.

Refund of tax on visitor’s purchases

Value Added Tax (VAT) at a rate of 15% is levied on the purchase of most goods in South Africa. Tourists and foreign visitors to South Africa may make application at departure points for a refund of the VAT paid. The tax invoices/proof of payment for the purchases and the goods must be presented for inspection at the port of exit.

What happens if I have not complied with customs requirements?

SARS endeavours to educate and inform traders of their tax/duty obligations through various interventions, to help you to keep your tax affairs in order. Traders who are found to be non-compliant will be subjected to the Penal Provisions of the Customs and Excise Act of 1964, which includes a fine or criminal prosecution.

Source:  Official Guide to South Africa 2022/23

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• National Assembly

Tourism Incentive Programme: Department of Tourism briefing

05 september 2014, chairperson: ms b ngcobo (anc), meeting summary.

The National Department of Tourism (NDT) briefed the Committee on its Tourism Incentive Programme (TIP). In 2011 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had transferred a unit that had dealt with tourism incentives to the NDT. The unit had been involved in the DTI’s Tourism Support Programme (TSP). In 2012 the DTI decided to suspend its TSP. The NDT approached National Treasury to fund its new TIP. The NDT decided not to follow the DTI’s approach but developed its own TIP which would be aligned with the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS). The DTI however would continue to run some of its existing programmes until 2017.

The NDT was experiencing challenges in appointing a head of the new TIP unit. The NDT TIP unit had conducted a review of the DTI’s TSP and had identified lessons learnt. Some of the lessons learnt from the TSP were the importance of limiting the number of objectives to one or two per programme; Programme guidelines needed to be clear and concise, the TSP guidelines had been ambiguous and as a result the use of consultants had cost the DTI huge sums of money. Hence with the TIP the use of consultants had to be avoided; Application and claim processes had to be simple and easy and; Administrative capacity should be sufficient. Even with the DTI’s capacity the TSP had run into backlogs.

Five working groups were established namely- a tourism development funding forum, to prevent issues like double dipping; another was development of a destination development plan framework and amongst its intentions was the enhancement of SA’s 8 world heritage sites; there was also a working group for the design and development of current and future programmes as per the draft TIP; a further working group emerged to deal with disparities in tourism signage amongst provinces and finally; a working group was set up to enhance SA’s ports of entry. An issue that was also identified as important was skills development.

Members expressed their disappointment with the briefing on the TIP. The briefing itself and its accompanying briefing document had been vague and scant on information and detail. Not much had been said on where the TIP was and where it was going. Was there an action plan? The Committee needed information to meaningfully engage. Information on budgets and allocations was also not provided. The whole idea behind the TIP was to enhance transformation in the tourism sector because as things were transformation was clearly not taking place as it should be. Tying in with the issue of transformation was that it seemed that the TIP was aimed at existing businesses and not new entrants to the sector. New entrants were usually from previously disadvantaged backgrounds. The implementation and methodology of SRI projects was also highlighted. The Committee requested insight into the successes and failures of SRI projects and the funding that went along with such projects. It was recommended that the TIP should feature more prominently in rural areas where tourism was lacking. It was apparent to the Committee that the TIP was very much still on paper and requested the NDT to forward the TIP’s concept document to the Committee. An appeal was made to the NDT delegation to go back to the drawing board and come up with a strategy to be presented to the Committee before anything else was done. The Committee preferred that the NDT not respond to issues raised by members.

Meeting report

National Department of Tourism (NDT) The NDT briefed the Committee on its Tourism Incentive Programme (TIP). The delegation responsible for the briefing comprised of Ms Morongoe Ramphele Deputy Director General: Domestic Tourism Management, Mr Thlopane Nthatisi Deputy Director: TIP and Mr Bernie Meyer Chief Director: Research, Information and Knowledge Management. Ms Ramphele provided background information on the Tourism Incentive Programme (TIP). In 2011 the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) had transferred a unit that had dealt with tourism incentives to the NDT. In 2012 the DTI decided to suspend its TSP; the TSP had not been transferred to the NDT. The DTI however would continue to run some of its existing programmes until 2017. The NDT approached National Treasury to fund the new TIP. The NDT decided not to follow the DTI’s approach but had its own TIP which would be aligned with the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS). The NDT was however experiencing challenges in appointing a head of the new unit. The NDT had tried three times to fill the position but had been unsuccessful. The problem was that vetting processes took too long. It was also a challenge to staff the new unit. Mr Meyer and Mr Nthatisi covered the rest of the briefing. The guiding principles of an incentive programme were elaborated upon. Incentive programmes had to be based on a clear rationale, it had to be aligned to the NDT’s mandate and strategic objectives of the NTSS, it furthermore had to offer clear and transparent guidelines and rules for applicants and the organisation and finally had to be measurable in terms of impact.   A review of the DTI’s TSP had identified lessons learnt. Some of the lessons learnt from the TSP included- the need to limit the number of objectives to one or two per programme; Programme guidelines needed to be clear and concise, the TSP guidelines had been ambiguous and as a result consultants had taken advantage and it cost the DTI huge sums of money. Hence with the TIP the use of consultants had to be avoided; Application and claim processes had to be simple and easy and; Administrative capacity should be sufficient. Even with the DTI’s capacity the TSP had run into backlogs. The DTI had advised the NDT to adopt a phased approach towards the development of the TIP. Start off small and build up over time. It was decided to have three phases. Initially as part of phase one it was agreed to have market access programmes to facilitate access into the market. Cost was usually a barrier. It was additionally decided to provide Social Responsibility Implementation (SRI) sustainability support. There were instances where good SRI projects could not get off the ground due to lack of management capacity etc. Targeted groups for the TIP could be emerging tourism enterprises that were less than 3 years in operation and had a turnover of less than R2m. Another targeted group was established tourism enterprises who were in existence for more than 3 years. The idea was to have transformation of the sector but the underpinning objective was that eligibility and qualifying criteria had to be taken into consideration. Members were provided with insight into the consultation process to date. There had been preliminary industry consultations with organisations like the Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA) and Federated Hospitality Association of SA (FEDHASA). The Minister had an industry consultation session as well. Five working groups were established- a tourism development funding forum to prevent issues like double dipping, another was development of a destination development plan framework and amongst its intentions was the enhancement of SA’s eight world heritage sites, there was also a working group for the design and development of current and future programmes as per the draft TIP, a further working group emerged to deal with disparities in tourism signage amongst provinces and finally a working group was set up to enhance SA’s ports of entry. An issue that was also identified as important was skills development. Potential future focus areas included tailored capital investment support to address specific NTSS objectives for example resource efficiency and universal access, enhancing the visitor experience and lastly destination development.    Discussion Mr G Krumbock (DA) referred to the issue of signage and said that interaction with departments that dealt with roads was needed. The Committee needed more information. What and where was the problem and what was being proposed? Was the NDT working with the Department of Transport? What were the budgets? There had to be community concerns- it was a far wider problem. The presentation from the NDT had no detail and had been vague. There was no sense of where things were coming from and where things were going. The NDT needed to provide the Committee with additional documentation that contained more detail. The presentation contained no figures and no information on budgets etc. Members had no idea how much funds had gone into the Programme. What were income and expenditure figures? The briefing had alluded to the fact that there had been problems with the TSP. However the Committee was provided with no details on the failure of the TSP. The Committee needed a 6-8 page summary of what went wrong with the TSP. Members could not be expected to engage on the current document before them. Specifics on what the NDT intended to do was needed - practical examples could be provided to the Committee. A whole new document was needed to provide more detail. The current briefing seemed to present the same programme to the Committee that was presented to the Committee three and a half years ago. At that point the Committee had felt that the programme would not work. Was it the same programme? Ms P Adams (ANC) was heavily disappointed with the presentation. The intention of the TSP had been to assist people. The TSP was shifted from the Department of Trade and Industry to the NDT in 2012 without funding. Were there funds that had rolled over from DTI to NDT and how much funds were there? The amount was believed to be R100m. Had the funds been ring-fenced since 2012 or was it used for the establishment of workgroups.  The NDT had apparently engaged with National Treasury but members had no details on the outcome of such engagements. From the briefing it was apparent that there were a number of processes attached to the establishment of the unit and the head of the unit. It was a concern that an advertisement had been placed thrice to fill the post of head but all three attempts had been unsuccessful.  If the two officials that were part of the present NDT delegation had been transferred from the DTI to the NDT, then why were they not appointed to perform exploratory work for the unit? The impression was that nothing was done thus far.  The Committee needed concrete details on paper. The briefing as well as the expense that went along with it was a fruitless expenditure. The idea of an incentive programme was to enhance transformation. Transformation in the tourism sector was dearly lacking.  From the briefing the impression was that the NDT wished to assist established businesses. The briefing spoke about there being working groups to cover ports of entry and skills development- what was going to be done? Ms E Masehela (ANC) asked if it was correct that the DTI was to continue with its tourism incentive programmes till 2017. What happens after 2017? The DTI had spent a great deal of funds with the use of consultants, what was to prevent the NDT from doing the same on its incentive programme. In agreement with Ms Adams, it looked as if the NDT intended to assist already up and running businesses. What about new entrants to the sector? Why had the NDT’s vetting process taken so long- had the issue been addressed? Mr J Vos (DA) did not wish to re-echo the sentiments of the Committee on the presentation but agreed with the comments made. The NDT clearly needed to review the implementation and methodology of SRI projects. If the intention was to deliver a high quality product outside urban areas, the TSP for rural areas had to be taken seriously.  The Committee was disappointed as it had wished to see the effect that SRI projects and the TSP had on product development in rural areas. SRI projects should create jobs and encourage skills development. The presentation lacked detail. The Committee had to be provided with figures on what funds were available for TIP projects. Members needed clear directives so as to contribute meaningfully. Personal research on projects revealed that at a village near Thaba ‘Nchu there was a project worth R3.6million. The project implementer was being investigated because the project was not functional. On the other hand a project in the Kwazulu-Natal was in fact working. This spoke to transformation and to rural tourism development. The NDT needed to do a rethink its efforts as members were disappointed on what had been presented. On signage, capacity was needed at municipal and local levels. On ports of entry further elaboration was needed on new terminals and the NDT had to elaborate on its efforts. There was a value chain that could enhance tourism. The Committee needed a report on projects that had been funded. Members had to see what was working and what was not. The issue was about obtaining value for money. Mr A Whitfield (DA) pointed out that beneficiaries of SRI projects receive funding from the NDT and he had received a letter from one of such beneficiaries. The beneficiary stated that they had been informed by the NDT that they would no longer be funded by the NDT. The beneficiary in this instance ran a hospitality training initiative for young black South Africans. Persons were being trained and employed. The project had a 70% success rate and close to 4000 persons had been trained. This was a success story. They were currently in limbo and did not know where they stood. On youth development and training, did training in the hospitality sector create jobs? Mr J Esterhuizen (IFP) was concerned about the sustainability of rural projects. It was hoped that the Committee would receive a more comprehensive presentation from the delegation at another time. Mr B Joseph (EFF) understood that it was a difficult task to set up a branch or unit in the NDT. Was there an action plan? How was synergy and coordination to be attained in the setting up process? Given the concerns that the NDT had raised regarding its vetting process, what had the NDT done subsequently to fast track the vetting process.  Had the selection criteria for awarding the TIP been finalised and how would the TIP facilitate new entrants into the industry? Ms L Makhubele-Mashele (ANC) opined that the presentation had not provided the Committee with sufficient information to engage with and it was understandable that there were frustrations with starting up a new unit. The lessons learnt from the DTI TSP should have been taken into consideration in compiling a strategy for NDT’s TIP. It was important the NDT come up with a clear concept or strategy before anything else was done and that the TIP be put on hold until a clear strategy was provided to the Committee. The point after all was that incentives were supposed to address problems in the industry. It must have been a difficult task otherwise the DTI would not have used consultants- any system was open to manipulation. The delegation needed to go back to the drawing board. What should be done was to put a process in place to address a problem. People who received incentives should meet the NDT’s criteria. There was no clear picture of where things were and where things were heading. The Chairperson thanked the delegation and also thanked members for being honest. The problem was that the TIP was all still on paper. Information on the TIP was scant in the presentation. Surely the NDT had a concept document and it should be forwarded to the Committee. The Committee still had to consider its Budget Review Recommendations Report (BRRR) and if funding was needed for the TIP the NDT had to make its case. How could the Committee recommend more funding to be given to the TIP when the Committee did not see a tangible Programme? The Committee needed to know where the NDT wished to take SA in terms of tourism. The Committee was just as lost and blank after the briefing as it was before. The Chairperson suggested that the delegation rather not respond to the questions and comments made by members as there was no point. The NDT should rather go back to the drawing board and come back to the Committee with substantial information on the TIP. In the NDT’s strategic plan it stated that funds had been transferred from the DTI to the NDT. The Committee needed specifics. Mr Krumbock remarked that it was necessary that the NDT had noted down the questions asked, concerns raised and comments made by members and that the document which they intended to provide to the Committee in time to come would cover all that was highlighted by members. Mr Vos added that if a comprehensive report was to be provided to the Committee it should provide a complete overview of the funds of the TIP, where projects were located and what the status of projects were. Mr Sibusiso Khuzwayo Committee Content Adviser Parliament noted that it was SRI projects the TIP intended to assist with and suggested that the report should not focus on SRI projects as the NDT would be briefing the Committee on it in its next meeting the following week. Perhaps the TIP issue should be separated from the SRI issue. Mr Vos reiterated the Committee’s request on the list of projects. Ms Masehela added that in the next briefing on the TIP the NDT should also speak about its implementation plan and timeframes that went along with it. The Chairperson stated that the Director-General (DG) of the NDT would be asked to be present at the next briefing on the TIP.   Committee Minutes Committee Minutes dated 29 August 2014 was adopted as amended. Additions and grammatical changes were effected to the Committee Minutes. The Chairperson informed the Committee that the Committee Report on the Memorandum of Understanding between SA and Saudi Arabia had been ATCed. Mr Vos congratulated the government of Zambia on its introduction of e-visas. He hoped that SA would follow suit. He noted that the Minister of Tourism had recently at a summit spoken favourably on e-visas. The meeting was adjourned.    

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Grants available for North Dakota tourism destination development

The North Dakota Department of Commerce invites statewide tourism attractions and destinations to apply for the Destination Development Grant Program. The grant portal is open for applications July 3 – August 31, 2023.

"Tourism destination development plays a vital role in North Dakota's growth and prosperity,” said Gov. Doug Burgum. “As our state continues to evolve and diversify, it is crucial that we recognize the immense potential to attract visitors and recruit talent by creating unique attractions and amenities. Investing in the development of our tourism destinations will not only create new economic opportunities and spur workforce development, but also showcase the beauty and charm of North Dakota to the world.”

The Destination Development Grant is a competitive grant program which aims to provide financial support to develop new or expanded tourism experiences and attractions increasing unique experiences to attract new visitors to our state for longer stays.  The grant program seeks anchor tourism attraction projects that will assist in spurring and supporting secondary attractions within the state.

To qualify, projects must fall under at least one of the following categories:

• Accommodations 
• Culinary experiences 
• Themed education and entertainment attractions
• AgriTourism attractions
• Focused niche activities that provide value-added services

Funds are intended to move a project toward completion rather than for preliminary planning. Types of usage that would be allowed include but are not limited to costs associated with the purchase or construction of new and/or existing tourism and recreation attractions, historic sites, and equipment purchased for specific tourism project operations.

Grant requests up to $5,000,000, will be consider ed and applicants must identify a match to any requested funds. For program details, visit https://ndgov.link/DestinationDevGrant23 .

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SANS 1162 INCENTIVES

In order to stimulate the implementation of SANS 1162 and encourage certification of tourism businesses, the tourism sector in partnership with NDT has identified the need for incentives.  The following organizations administer incentives that support the implementation of SANS 1162 and can be assessed by tourism businesses, upon successful application.

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of the South African Department of Trade & Industry (the dti).  Seda’s mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises throughout the country, ensuring their growth and sustainability in coordination and partnership with various role-players.  Seda has developed the “Conformity Assessment Incentive” administered by the Conformity Assessment Unit at the Small Enterprise Development Agency .  

The unit facilitates the certification process through the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) and other certification bodies.  The incentive is geared towards the development and implementation of various management systems, including ISO 14001(Environmental Management System) through the provision of R90 000.00 (Ninety thousand rands only) in grant/incentive support. Additional information can be obtained on the website: seda.org.za

The Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP) is a Non Profit Company, one of the longest standing and most successful public private partnerships in South Africa. TEP facilitates the growth, development and sustainability of small tourism businesses. 

Tourism businesses wishing to have more information on funding criteria are welcome to assess the information on the website: tep.co.za/WorkingWithTEP.aspx

NDT is also in the process of finalizing an incentive package for the tourism.

The beauty of it all

NDT 2 presents The beauty of it all , striking the ultimate balance between honoring NDT’s legacy and its rich repertoire, while creating space for new artistic voices that provide the company with surprising perspectives. On tour from March 14 until May 2.

Do Not Run Flu

The new NDT 1 performance Do Not Run Fly premieres on Thursday May 16. To be seen until June 8.

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NDT Summer Intensive

Edition 2024

From 29 July to 10 August 2024, we will organise the NDT Summer Intensive!

Read more information about the programme, deadlines and how to prepare for your audition down below.

UPDATE 26 FEB 2024

Registration for the Summer Intensive 2024 has closed 

UPDATE 16 FEB 2024

Registration for female identifying dancers has closed.

UPDATE 12 FEB 2024

We have almost reached the maximum of female applicants for NDT Summer Intensive. Therefore registration for female identifying dancers will soon close.

What is the NDT Summer Intensive?

NDT Summer Intensive  is a unique experience which takes place in the atmosphere and surroundings of our company’s home. We offer a professional training course aimed to help you grow as a contemporary dancer and deepen your personal development. We use our tradition, knowledge, vision, and innovation in dance, art, and education to generate a fruitful artistic experience by creating a space for different perspectives, conversations, and exploration facilitated by an international team of choreographers and teachers. The participants can take these tools with them in the near future, and throughout their dance career.

Practical information

✓ Registrations open on January 29, 2024 at 10 AM

✓ NDT Summer Intensive 2024 takes place from Monday 29 July – Saturday 10 August  in The Hague (The Netherlands);

✓ Course tuition €1350 incl. VAT

✓ Accomodation costs (optional) for The Social Hub €725,- incl. VAT and city taxes.

READ CAREFULLY

AUDITION PROCEDURE + APPLICATION FORM ACCOMODATION SCHOLARSHIP PROCEDURE TERMS & CONDITIONS

Audition & deadlines

You can send submit your audition as of 29 January 2024. The deadline to submit in your audition is 26 February ór when we reach the maximum amount of registrations.

You can find all of the criteria to audition + the application form in our audition procedure .

*Please be aware that we have a maximum of registrations that we can process. If we reach the maximum amount of registrations before 26 February, we will close the registrations earlier. Make sure to register as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions

Does ndt summer intensive provide financial assistance and/or scholarships.

NDT Summer Intensive seeks to reduce inequalities and access in dance education. Therefore, no dancer should feel deterred from applying to NDT Summer Intensive due to lack of financial means. NDT offers scholarship possibilities for those dancers who otherwise would not have the opportunity to attend. We can provide scholarships due to the generous support of sponsors and guest families. To apply for a scholarship, you need to inform us on your online registration form. For more information about how to apply for a Scholarship, please read the Scholarship Procedure .

In the unforeseen circumstance that the NDT Summer Intensive 2024 is cancelled, am I eligible for a refund?

Yes, received payments for course fee and accommodation arranged by NDT will be refunded to all participants in case of a cancellation by NDT in case of force majeure. NDT cannot refund any invested travel costs. More information on terms & conditions can be found here .

One of the criteria for the audition video is to add a max. 2 minute contemporary solo, does this need to be NDT repertoire?

No, this does not need to be NDT repertoire and can be repertoire of your choice. This could be a fragment of choreography that you learned in school or in training or it could be something that you created yourself. However, make sure that there are no other dancers in the video and that you are clearly and completely visible. This means that you have to show your chosen repertoire as a solo.  Please note: auditions that do not follow the description in this audition procedure will not be accepted. More information on the audition video criteria can be found in our audition procedure .

How and when do I audition?

It is possible to audition for NDT Summer Intensive starting 29 January 2024 10.00 AM (Amsterdam local time). To audition for NDT Summer Intensive 2024, please fill out the audition form on our website . The deadline to send in your audition is 26 February 2024 17.00 PM (Amsterdam local time) or when we have reached the maximum of registrations. Take into account that there is a maximum to the amount of auditions we accept. We advise you to send in a complete audition as soon as possible (after the registration opens) if you want to be considered.

Are there accommodations available to NDT SI participants?

NDT offers affordable accommodation at The Social Hub centrally located and within close distance of our theatre. It’s optional to book the accommodation with us. You can indicate on your registration form if you would like NDT to reserve a room for you. Read more about this accommodation possibility here . When you apply for a scholarship, you are also eligible for a free stay with one of our Summer Intensive host families. Read more about scholarship possibilities here.

How many students are in each class?

There will be around 20 dancers in each group, with a total of three groups.   

How much is the tuition and what does it cover?

The tuition for the course is € 1350. It covers all the classes and extracurricular activities in the course. It doesn’t cover accommodation, food and travel. NDT offers affordable accommodation at The Social Hub. More information on this can be found here.

The two–week summer intensive is designed to offer (pre-)professional dancers a range of dance approaches and styles that aim to provide a thorough dance experience. Different elements of the course build upon the student’s technical base, as well as upon improvisation. Participants get to apply the learned principles in different components of the course whereby NDT repertoire, and the opportunity to create new work occurs.

Within the context of repertoire and new work, the participant simultaneously trains partnering, solo, group and compositional skills. Extracurricular activities of the course involve panel talks, artist exchanges and other activities designed to bring NDT staff, NDT dancers and the participants in closer contact. These activities also give peers the opportunity to form social and creative bonds that can last well after the intensive ends!

Participants

The  NDT Summer Intensive  is specially created for (pre)professional ballet and/or contemporary trained dancers aged 15 – 25 years old (X/F/M).  Diversity is an important part of NDT talent development and education. We encourage anyone to apply regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, religion or financial status.

There is a limited amount of 60 places available for the  NDT Summer Intensive . NDT’s artistic staff selects based upon a range of criteria including, but not limited to retention of movement, musicality, attitude, work ethic, potential and creativity.

Accomodation

NDT Summer Intensive offers affordable accommodation in The Hague, centrally located and within close distance of our theatre. Read more about the housing possibility  here

Scholarship

NDT Summer Intensive seeks to reduce inequalities and access in dance education. Therefore, no dancer should feel deterred from applying to  NDT Summer Intensive  due to lack of financial means. Scholarships are granted to participants who prove to be in financial need. A scholarship for NDT Summer Intensive 2024 can fund: (partial or full) course fee, travel costs, (compensation of) living expenses/meal allowance, housing in The Social Hub or with one of our guest families. NDT can offer a limited amount of (partial and full) scholarships.  Find out more here

“ Being a part of the NDT Summer Intensive has been so enriching and fulfilling. I’ve gained a different perspective on dance, and a newfound level of awareness of my body. ” Jasmine Robinson participant  NDT Summer Intensive

Questions or get in touch? Find our contact information here

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Moscow metro to be more tourist-friendly

A new floor sign system at the Moscow metro's Pushkinskaya station. Source: Vladimir Pesnya / RIA Novosti

For many years now, Moscow has lagged behind St. Petersburg when it comes to making life easy for tourists, especially where getting around the city is concerned. Whereas the northern capital installed English-language maps, signs and information points throughout its subway system in the late 2000s, the Russian capital’s metro remained a serious challenge for foreign visitors to navigate.

Recent visitors to Moscow may have noticed some signs that change is afoot, however. In many stations of the Moscow subway, signs have appeared on the floor – with large lettering in Russian and English – indicating the direction to follow in order to change lines. Previously, foreign visitors using the Moscow metro had to rely solely upon deciphering the Russian-language signs hanging from the ceilings.

Student volunteers help tourists find their way in Moscow

However, this new solution has a significant drawback. “The floor navigation is visible only to a small stream of people – fewer than three people per meter. During peak hours, this navigation will simply not be noticed,” said Konstantin Trofimenko, Director of the Center for Urban Transportation Studies.

One of the biggest problems for tourists in the Russian capital remains the absence of English translations of the names of subway stations in the station vestibules and on platforms. The Department of Transportation in Moscow has not commented yet as to when this problem will be solved. However, Latin transliterations of station names can already be found in the subway cars themselves.

Finding the right exit

At four of the central stations – Okhotny Ryad, Teatralnaya, Ploshchad Revolyutsii, Lubyanka and Kuznetsky Most – the city authorities have now installed colorful stands at the exits with schematic diagrams of the station’s concourse and surrounding area, which provide information about the main attractions and infrastructural facilities.

The schematic diagrams are the work of British specialists from the City ID and Billings Jackson Design firms, who have already implemented successful projects in New York and London.

According to Alexei Novichkov, expert at the Design Laboratory at the Higher School of Economics, the design of these information booths raises no objections: The color solutions, font, layout and icons are consistent with international standards.

However, the stands do have some shortcomings. “Many questions are raised about the fact that the developers of these maps did not apply orientation to the north, and have provided layouts of the surrounding areas with respect to the exits,” says Novichkov. “A system like that is used for road navigators, but most of the ‘paper’ guides and maps are oriented strictly to north. The subway map is also oriented to north, so people may become confused.”

Muscovites and foreign visitors are generally positive about these navigation elements, with most of them citing the numbered exits from the subway as the most useful feature.

The fact is that many Moscow subway stations have several exits. One of the busiest central stations of the Moscow subway in particular, Kitay-Gorod, has more than a dozen exits. Previously, these exits were differentiated from each other only with signs in Russian referring to the names of streets and places of interest to which they led – making it easy for tourists and those with poor navigation skills to get confused.

Now, when making an appointment to meet a friend, instead of struggling to find the right spot when they tell you: “I'll meet you at the exit to Solyanka Street,” you can just propose to meet under a specific exit number.

“I’ve lived in Moscow for seven years,” says Angelika, a designer from Voronezh, “but I still don’t always know where to go to find the place I need, so the new schematic diagrams will be very useful. Previously, some subway stations had maps, but not with so much detail.”

Teething problems

Foreigners, meanwhile, focus their attention on other elements. “It is good that the new information boards have QR-codes, which can be ‘read’ by smartphones,” says Florentina, a writer from Vienna. But there are also shortcomings. “The English font of the information on posters and in the captions to theaters and museums is too small – you have to come very close to see it well,” she says.

Pleasant encounters on the streets of Moscow

Florentina was also dissatisfied with the fact that such posters are not provided at all subway stations: “When I was trying to find Tsaritsyno Park (a museum and reserve in the south of Moscow) at a subway station with the same name, it turned out to be quite difficult,” she says.

“There are no maps with landmarks for other areas, such as those already in the city center. There were no clear pointers in the English language, and the passers-by I met did not speak in English, so they could not help me,” she adds.

Officials say that the navigation system is gradually being redeveloped and improved. According to Darya Chuvasheva, a press representative for the Department of Transport of Moscow, the introduction of a unified navigation system will take place in stages.

“By the end of 2014, the system will first appear on the first subway stations on the Circle Line. By the end of 2015, we plan to install the system at all major stopping points, subway stations and transport interchange hubs,” says Chuvasheva.

All rights reserved by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

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Metallurgicheskii Zavod Electrostal AO (Russia)

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  Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP)

The Green Tourism Incentive Programme (GTIP) is a resource efficiency incentive programme of the Department of Tourism whose objective is to encourage and support private sector tourism enterprises to adopt responsible tourism practices by moving towards the sustainable management and usage of energy and water resources.

The GTIP was launched in 2017 and through grant funding, assists private sector tourism enterprises in reducing the cost of investing in energy and water efficient solutions. Implementing GTIP funded interventions and identified solutions will not only ensure more responsible operations and environmental benefits, but after the projected payback period, the savings will continue to reduce the overall operational cost of the enterprise with direct and sustained benefits in terms of profitability and improved competitiveness.

The programme is managed by the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on behalf of the Department of Tourism and all applications and approvals are managed by the IDC.  The GTIP broadly offers the following benefits to qualifying tourism enterprises:

•  the full cost for a new resource efficiency audit or the full cost for reviewing an existing resource efficiency audit;
• grant funding to qualifying small and micro enterprises on a sliding scale from 50% to 90% of the total cost of implementing resource efficiency interventions, which is capped at R 1 million; and
• qualifying enterprises may implement projects in phases in order to better manage their cash flow over a two-year project implementation period.

APPLICATION WINDOW THE 9 th  GTIP WINDOW PERIOD FOR APPLICATIONS IS OPEN FROM 25 JANUARY TO 31 MARCH 2024. ​ ​ ​ APPLICATION PROCEDURE

• More detailed information on the GTIP can be obtained from the attached GTIP brochure
• The GTIP application form can be downloaded from the IDC website: https://idc.co.za/green-tourism-incentive-programme/
• Applicants should submit their application forms and supporting documents directly to the IDC, who will assess applications for GTIP eligibility.
• All GTIP enquiries should be sent to: [email protected]
• Note that incomplete applications will not be considered for funding.

DISCLAIMER Prospective applicants for the GTIP are advised to be wary of people purporting to be representatives or agents of the programme. Please note that the IDC and the Department have not appointed agents or consultants to assist enterprises with the preparation of applications. The use of and payment of any fees to consultants is at the discretion of the applicant.