Question NW2211 to the Minister of Tourism
02 November 2021 - NW2211
Winkler, Ms HS to ask the Minister of Tourism
With reference to the Domestic Tourism Scheme, (a)(i) how and (ii) where was the scheme advertised, (b) where was the scheme rolled out, (c) what was the uptake of the scheme, (d) what is the content of the scheme, (e) what total amount has been spent on the scheme to date and (f) what was the outcome of the scheme in (i) Gauteng, (ii) North West and (iii) the Western Cape?
Reply:
a) (i) and (ii) the Scheme has not yet been advertised, but was initially piloted with Provinces and South African National Parks (SANParks).
b) The pilot with SANParks during 2019/20 financial year was rolled out in five National Parks as follows: -
- Eastern Cape: Addo Elephant Park (11 December 2019)
- Northern Cape: Augrabies National Park (17 January 2020)
- Limpopo Province: Marakele National Park (6-7 February 2020)
- Mpumalanga Province: Kruger National Park (27-28 February 2020)
- Free State: Golden Gate Highland National Park (11-12 March 2020)
During 2020/21 the Scheme was rolled out in partnership with four remaining provinces as follows:
(i) Kwazulu-Natal (10-11 November 2020)
The group was taken to the Giants Castle Nature Reserve in the Drakensberg Ukhahlamba Park.
(ii) Gauteng (5-6 March 2021)
A group from Gauteng, comprising of senior citizens, fitness fanatics (hikers) and young people were part of the program. The group also included small product owners and emerging tour operators. The group was taken to Cradle moon at the Cradle of Human Kind with senior citizens taken on a boat cruise and the rest of the group taking part in a 10km hike.
(iii) North West (11-12 March 2021)
A group of students at the TVET college in Rustenburg who are studying towards a tourism or hospitality qualifications were part of the program. They were taken to Pilanesberg and also to Mphebatho Cultural Centre in Mogwase, Moses Kotane Local Municipality.
(iv) Western Cape (15-16 March 2021)
A group comprised mainly young people from the Overberg District Municipality participated in an interactive and informative session on the importance of Domestic Tourism. Thereafter the group undertook site seeing to the town of Hermanus and visited the Shark Conservatory. They also visited the most southern tip of Africa at the Cape Agulhas National Park.
(c) The initial part of the scheme will be determined during the full implementation, however the pilot had 469 participants in 2019/20 financial year and 200 participants in 2020/21 financial year.
(d) The Domestic Tourism Scheme is designed to promote social tourism, encourage group travel such as stokvels, church groups, sports fans, etc.; people with modest income as well as general members of the public, particularly those who are less informed about travel opportunities. It’s also about access to travel amongst those within the lower Living Standard Measure (LSM) group.
(e) The Scheme has been piloted in partnership with SANParks and Provincial Tourism Departments. Total amounts spent to date are as follows: -
2019/20: R 1 625 215.37
2020/21: R 792 566.07
2021/22: This shall be reported in accordance with the normal reporting schedule as information
must be audited.
(f) There was greater interest in the scheme, however only 50 participants per province could be accommodated due to the available budget. The provinces that were part of the provincial partnership for rollout of the Scheme and Domestic Tourism Awareness programme in 2020/21 included: Gauteng, North West and the Western Cape.