Tourism Enterprise Partnership

16 May 2009

Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP) is a business trust initiative by Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), which identifies, facilitates and fosters commercially viable business transaction between established industry players and SMME’s.

At the Starting Gate

There are a few things all SMMEs (small, medium and micro enterprises) need to know before approaching the TEP for assistance:

1. The TEP assists on a case-by-case and project-by-project basis, so applicants need to contact one of its provincial offices for an application form well in advance.
2. To qualify businesses need to already be established and operating; demonstrate sustainability, capacity for growth and job creation; and be:

• directly involved in the tourism industry (including tour operators, travel agents, crafters, small hotels and B&B's)
• registered and legally compliant - although the TEP is able to assist with the latter if required

Businesses that receive assistance from the TEP must provide monthly revenue and staffing reports to demonstrate their consistent and equitable return on investment.

TEP is also able to assist SMME’s operating in the tourism economy in a number of ways, for example:

1. Marketing assistance for events
2. Development of business and marketing plans
3. Preparation and submission of tenders and proposals to become a supplier
4. Training
5. Attending exhibitions and conference where appropriate, eg Indaba
6. Certification and licensing
7. Identification of service
8. Marketing collateral (business cards, brochures and website design)

TEP is able to contribute financially to the above on a cost sharing basis of 50 / 50 the SMME’s must however exhibit the potential to grow and to create jobs to quality for assistance.

TEP does not provide funds for the following:
. Financing of assets
. Raising or contributing to equity
. Start-up capital
. Operational costs

Next Steps with TEP

Facilitation from the TEP is free of charge, and includes the following types of activities:

• providing SMMEs with greater market access opportunities (such as websites, marketing collateral, event attendance, exhibitions, international hosting)
• improving operational efficiency by identifying avenues of finance, formulating business plans, aiding financial planning and legal compliance

Before they can be eligible for assistance, businesses must be registered with the TEP, and undergo a free needs analysis.

Important to Remember

The TEP does not provide assistance in the form of asset or bridging finance, loans or working capital. If assistance is approved, the outlay of the particular assistance will be shared, with the TEP providing a maximum of 50% of costs.

Emerging tourism businesses requiring assistance in these areas can contact one of the TEP’s provincial offices to request registration and application forms. Thereafter the applicant will undergo a needs analysis by the TEP to determine its particular growth constraints. The applicant will then fill in an application form, and be registered in the TEP’s database.

Links:
Tourism Enterprise Partnership: www.tep.co.za

Below are other organizations within the tourism and hospitality that its advisable to affiliate with including the TEP.

1. TBCSA – (Tourism Business Council of South Africa) www.tbcsa.travel
2. FEDHASA – (Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa) www.fedhasa.co.za
3. SATSA- (Southern Africa Tourism Services Association ) www.satsa.com
4. THETA – (Tourism Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority www.theta.org.za
5. GTA –(Gauteng Tourism Authority) www.gauteng.net
6. TOMSA – (Tourism Marketing of South Africa) www.tbcsa.org.za/tomsa
7. ASATA – ( Association for South African Travel Agents) www.asata.co.za
8. GEP – ( Gauteng Enterprise Programme) www.gep.co.za

For Further information please contact.

Mamokhothu Santho (CIA)
BOTSOI HOSPITALITY ENTERPRISE
Independent Assessor (PR No: GC/096/sm)
Grading (Accommodation Establishments, Conference Facilities And Special Events Venues)
Train (S.A. Host Customer Service)
Mobil: 072 358 2126
E-mail: santho@batsoihospitality.co.za

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