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Tourism Enterprise Programme Wins Major International Award

Author: ECIAfrica
Date: March 4, 2008

ECIAfrica's Tourism Enterprise Program (TEP) has been recognized by the Tourism Investor Awards as the "Best Initiative in Facilitating SME Tourism Investment." The awards commend companies and organizations that support the development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Africa's tourism investment sector, and provide an international showcase for Africa's tourism opportunities and achievements.

A public-private partnership between the Business Trust and the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, TEP is implemented by Imbumba Tourism Services, a consortium led by ECIAfrica, DAI's Johannesburg-based subsidiary.

The program addresses the constraints faced by SMEs by facilitating improvements in SME support, market development, and the enabling environment, including transportation infrastructure. TEP's strategy mirrors national policy and current social and economic development plans, in line with the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative of South Africa.Since the start of ECIAfrica's involvement in July 2000, TEP has become South Africa's most successful tourism sector job creation program. Among its many achievements, TEP has:

Assisted 4,166 tourism SMEs, facilitated incremental revenue growth of 3.4 billion rand, and helped to create 43,711 new job opportunities in the sector;
Developed a strategic initiative linking 80 SMEs into the World Summit on Sustainable Development, leading to R3 million in product sales;
Conducted an analysis of the craft sector, resulting in a strategic growth plan, and initiated an annual craft exhibition called One of a Kind-726 SMEs have participated in the past 4 years, achieving sales of more than R12 million;
Developed an HIV/AIDS workplace program for SMEs that trained 914 people;Launched four provincial tourism business forums to coordinate SME support between the public and private sector, and trained 130 local and provincial government officials to clarify their understanding of the tourism industry and the dynamics of enterprise development therein; and
Unlocked opportunities for tourism SMEs to benefit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. To date, TEP has facilitated the contracting of 3,718 room nights.

"TEP's deep understanding of the tourism industry has been gained by active participation, from grass-roots level to policy making," commented Job Mokgoro, ECIAfrica Managing Director. "With national coverage, excellent coordination, and interaction with stakeholders, TEP is a valued resource in all provinces and at a national level."

To ensure the long-term support of enterprise development in the tourism sector, TEP will in April 2008 change from a limited duration program to a fully fledged Section 21 Company called the Tourism Enterprise Partnership.

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