Inbound tourism association, SATSA, recently announced that 10 new slots have opened for SMMEs to become beneficiaries of its Tourism Business Incubator.
SATSA has invited the tourism industry to nominate any deserving small businesses (with 51% or more black ownership) for its incubation programme. Nominees should have a turnover of less than R50m (€2.4m) and be in operation for at least one year.
This year will be the second year of the Tourism Business Incubator, with the first seeing prominent members in the industry such as City Lodge Hotel Group, Europcar, New Frontiers, Protea Hotels by Marriott, BidTravel, Airlink, Tourvest Destination Management, and Dream Hotels and Resorts come together to collectively fund the incubation of 32 black-owned SMMEs.
The top three SMMEs in the first incubator programme created 20 new jobs.
“Over 930 business support interventions have been carried out, encompassing a range of needs-based business support services. This included the development of 21 websites and the completion of 40 sets of management accounts for incubatees. Another significant accomplishment was the facilitation of both enterprise development and supplier development for the SMME incubatees, amounting to R4.5m (€227 140),” Akash Singh, CEO of Sigma International told Tourism Update.
“The initiative's impact also extended to the global stage, with 13 incubatees participating in Africa's Travel Indaba 2023, showcasing the potential of these burgeoning enterprises. Furthermore, the procurement of much-needed tools and equipment worth R480 000 (€23 770) for the SMMEs solidified the practical strides made in improving operating efficiencies and business enablement.”
Benefits
Singh said there were several key benefits in addition to high-impact business development and operational support, which is customised based on business requirements.
An in-depth needs analysis is performed, and support is offered in the form of:
- Support with financial, business and marketing mentorship.
- Development of marketing collateral.
- Assistance with financial record-keeping and management accounts.
- Business linkages and market access support.
- Assistance with funding plans and facilitation of business funding.
- Zoom couch sessions and fireside chats with guest speakers.
He said it was not a one-size-fits-all approach and did not comprise general training. Business support and the linkages the programme offers are tailor-made to ensure that SMMEs receive benefits that are needs-based for their business.
“Our hope is that this will become the largest network of Tourism Business Incubators to date, with the National Department of Tourism, FEDHASA, Asata and Anglo American joining this year,” said Singh.
How to nominate
To nominate an SMME (or yourself, if you meet the requirements), please send the following details to Hannelie Du Toit (hannelie@satsa.co.za) before close of business on September 1.
- Business name
- Owner's name
- Type of business (this can be any type of business within the tourism value chain including services such as laundry, etc.)
- Email address
- Mobile contact number
“We want to create a pool of SMMEs equipped and ready to be linked to the broader tourism value chain by fostering an environment conducive to sustainable and scalable transformation within the tourism sector. The Tourism Business Incubator helps us lead the tourism transformation agenda, a key priority for SATSA in alignment with our Access, Inclusivity and Diversity Committee,” concluded SATSA CEO, David Frost.
