PILANESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA, — South Africa has introduced a Tourism Enterprise Development Incubator, which is a virtual vehicle to help in the provision of business support to tourism enterprises.

The incubator was launched last week at the Mphebatho Cultural Museum in Pilanesberg, in North West Province, by Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom, who said the programme would focus on viable existing small micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) at selected tourism nodes.

The SMMEs must be affiliated to a local tourism association and be operational. In addition there is no turnover requirement for participation by SMME’s but the official description of SMMEs in line with the Small Development Act will be considered in the evaluation of suitability for inclusion in the incubator programme.

Of critical importance, the success of our programme is dependent on quality leadership as well as a stable and willing community that is hungry for success, which will create opportunities for our people. I am glad to say that this is one such community, said Hanekom.

The Tourism Enterprise Development Incubator will be a virtual vehicle used to facilitate the provision of business support interventions to tourism enterprises, clustered along a thriving tourism node in the country. This model will enable enterprises to obtain all business support services offered without being located in the incubator.

Source: Nam News Network