After evaluating its current structures, SATSA has developed two new chapters – the Central South Africa chapter (regional) and the Adventure Tourism chapter (virtual).

SATSA members will automatically be allocated into a regional chapter based on their address and membership of a virtual chapter will be via an opt-in process.

“The Central South Africa chapter combines the North West, Northern Cape and Free State members. It provides for a stronger combined voice and will ensure that regional issues are addressed appropriately by appointing a chairperson for each province,” said SATSA COO, Hannelie du Toit.

This chapter will kick off with a virtual AGM on August 25 where committee members, a chairperson and vice-chairperson will be elected. The Central South Africa chapter chairperson will serve as an ex-officio director on the SATSA board.

The Adventure Tourism chapter, launching after many years of discussion and planning, will provide a dedicated voice for adventure tourism and aim to promote adventure products to position South Africa as a top adventure destination.

SATSA has done extensive work to promote self-regulation of adventure tourism. A steering committee was established in 2015 with the Department of Tourism and some SATSA members of the steering committee continuing to lobby for a dedicated voice.

These members make up the current interim committee:

• Bill Harrop, Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safaris
• Marie-Louise Kellett, Gravity Adventures
• Johan Radcliff, Dirty Boots
• André du Toit, SATIB

The chapter will be formally established as follows:

• Research to be conducted through an adventure tourism survey, which will also serve as a vehicle for SATSA members to opt in to this virtual chapter
• Based on survey insights and available resources, a draft Adventure Chapter strategy will be developed
• A chapter AGM will be hosted where the chapter committee will be officially nominated and elected and the chapter strategy finalised
• Following the AGM, the committee will elect a Chairperson and Vice Chair and allocate other portfolios
• The elected chairperson will serve as an ex-officio director on the SATSA board