INCUBATING TOUR OPERATORS AND ACTIVITY-BASED TOURISM ENTERPRISE

The DEDAT Tourism Programme regards tourism enterprise development as a vital tool for creating an attractive, competitive and marketable destination in Northern Cape.

Seven tour operators and activity-based tourism entrepreneurs were selected to participate in a tourism enterprise incubation programme. They include tourism businesses that are interested in stargazing, gastronomy, river rafting, culture, and nature products.

The participants are Stardust Tours from Sutherland, Klein Oqis from Koingnaas, Hollywood Lodge from Steinkopf, Riemvasmaak Adventures from Vredesvallei, CEO Consultancy from Paballelo, Vinkie’s Tourism Enterprise from Andriesvale and SA Curated from Mothibistad.

The programme consists of business model development, compliance, bookkeeping, sales and market access, all aimed at converting business leads to reservations to enhance business sustainability.

All incubates attended first aid training courses to improve visitor safety and well-being while out and about on their travel adventures with clients.

Office equipment was procured to ease business transacting and improve the efficiency of business operations.

Self-Mastery skills were offered as a key incubation intervention to empower incubates to navigate their entrepreneurial journey better, as entrepreneurship has numerous challenges that can lead to burnout and despondency.

Incubatees will further benefit from assistance in developing and upgrading websites and even the use of booking systems where relevant.

We expect the incubation programme to add significant value to several of our provincial tourist routes where the incubators are located, as well as greater success and confidence when they attend tourism marketing expos such as World Travel Market Africa and Africa’s Travel Indaba.

The project is a partnership between the DEDAT Tourism Programme and Sol Plaatje University Centre for Entrepreneurship and Rapid Incubator. The incubation programme will conclude in Quarter 3.