Tour-operator businesses graduate from the Tour Operator Incubator Programme
The Department of Tourism welcomed a new cohort of tourism professionals, at the graduation ceremony for the tour operator businesses that successfully completed the Tour Operator Incubator Programme, that the department has been conducting for these businesses for the past two years.
The aim of the programme is to create, implement and manage a National Emerging Tour Operation Incubation for a period of two years, tailored to meet the individual needs of 44 tour operator businesses across all nine Provinces.
The incubator model and approach were guided by practical findings from business assessments, individual SMME growth-plan development and the local specific realities of each incubate.
Tour operators are the golden thread that weaves an unforgettable experience for the tourist. They provide a seamless experience from booking to arrival and the subsequent tour package. With tailor-made packages, tour operators synergise and align the various booking platforms.
They are the first point of contact with the host country and sets the scene for the visit. Already it creates both the expectation and anticipation. This programme offers business development assistance to small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMME) operating in the tourism industry-focused on tour operators.
On the photo: Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela and DDG Mmaditonki Setwaba of Department of Tourism
Deputy Minister Fish Mahlalela said the incubator model and approach were guided by practical findings from business assessments, individual SMME growth-plan development and the local specific realities of each incubate.
“This sector needs truly a radical transformation as it remains insufficiently inclusive and faces high barriers to entry due to the need of specialized knowledge, exposure to various offerings across the country, networking with in-bound operators, expertise in product and service pairing and packaging for a diverse market”, said Deputy Minister Mahlalela at the graduation ceremony.
Business development needs analysis identified through engagements with the 44 Tour Operators under incubation included access to finance, market access support, business networking platforms as well as Green Energy Efficiency Incentives or Capital.
The Department of Tourism in response to support the small businesses in the sector, provided business compliance support to 37 entries on areas of transformation, SARS, license, B-BBEE and CIPC, access to market facilitated to 21 tour operators.
Among the graduates to the programme are Gloria Makwala from Usimati Tours in Mpumalanga who said, “This programme assisted me to grow my company and introduced me to the various marketing platforms. It also taught me how to build partnerships”.
Mpho Ramothwala from Boke Tours shared, “This programme has been immensely beneficial to me as it connected us with product owners. Thank you to the Department of Tourism for this amazing opportunity”.
Also Linda Sithole of Plum Orchard Safaris mentioned that, “This programme has meant everything to me as I noe know how to operate a business. It has connected me to new suppliers and partners”.
A total of 84 partners secured finance to the value of R950, 000.00 facilitated for incubates. It also provides Business System Improvement to 15 enterprises, Business Operational plans developed for 13 enterprises and Improvement of ICT capacity to 44 incubates.
SHARE THIS STORY ANYWHERE YOU LIKE
SHARE THIS STORY ANYWHERE
LATEST NEWS
LATEST NEWS
Analogue NITES returns for a one-night reunion
After more than a decade away, one of Johannesburg’s most beloved music experiences is finally making its long-awaited return. On
Saso’s Marquee experience returns to the Hollywoodbets Durban July
Following its standout success at the 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July, Saso’s Marquee Experience officially returns for the 2026 edition, once
Music Business Lab’s class of 2026 building a stronger music ecosystem
If a picture speaks a thousand words, then the sight of 50 music entrepreneurs gathered in celebration after completing the