The Department of Tourism in partnership with the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and uMkhanyakude District Municipality hosted the Tourism Information Sharing Session at Anew Hotel Hluhluwe under The Big 5 Hlabisa Local Municipality.

The recovery of the tourism industry has been uneven across different regions and sectors after COVID-19 pandemic. Tourism recovery plan was developed as the framework that will guide the recovery of the tourism sector following major disruptions, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of the plan is to rebuild the industry in a sustainable, inclusive, and resilient manner.

The purpose of today's information sharing session was aimed for small business enterprises within the tourism industry under uMkhanyakude District Municipality, to equip business owners with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to succeed and grow in the tourism sector.

The audience received presentations from the Department of Tourism, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA), uMkhanyakude District Municipality, National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA).

Topics of the day were around:

• Access to financial and non financial support programmes
• Tourism equity fund
• Tourism Transformation Fund
• Tourism grading support programme
• Market access support programme
• Tourism incentive programmes
• Supply chain management (CSD and CIPC registration process)
• Support and projects under uMkhanyakude District Municipality
• And projects available in SMME under EDTEA