SMME’s Welcome Workshop Initiative

AAround 70 tourism SMME’s from various parts of the Northern Cape welcomed the initiative by South African Tourism to include a workshop as part of the recently launched Summer Campaign.

The SMME’s formed part of proceedings at Naba Lodge in Upington this weekend and were exposed to a masterclass on doing business in a COVID-19 environment as well as expert advice on marketing and embracing digital technology.

These SMME workshops aim to empower SMME’s who play a vital part in the tourism eco system and will take place in every province throughout the Summer Campaign.

Addressing the delegates, speaker of the Dawid Kruiper Municipality, Councillor Marayna Basson praised the initiative.

She believes that these initiatives and efforts go a long way to address the inequalities of the sector and provide much needed support for SMMEs who are critical to ensure the recovery of the tourism sector.

“In drawing our tourism SMME’s from the side-lines and injecting a sense of doing business differently and striving to be the best, it shall bring with it the results we desire and sustainable businesses,” said Basson in her address to the audience.

Upington based tour operator, Johannes Springbok, saw the marketing component of the workshop as one of the biggest takeout’s.

“Before today, we never had the proper tools or full understanding of marketing, but the session today empowered us and gave us the tools to go out there and improve.”

“It is also important to note that tourism didn’t totally die due to Covid and we heard from the speakers today about examples of making a success in business despite the circumstance we are in,” added Springbok.

Springbok’s views were echoed by Rooiduin Guest Farm owner, Alida Mouton whose establishment can be found close to the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

“Amongst the things we learnt today was how to go about getting referrals and the use of Google my Business. These are key elements for me in attracting new business and I was encouraged by what I heard from the speakers as it means that I am on the right track,” said Mouton.

The day long program, a collaborative effort between the Department of Tourism, SA Tourism and the Northern Cape Tourism Agency, ensured delegates were better equipped with skills and tools to improve the way they run their business under the “new normal”.

These workshops will continue throughout the Summer Campaign with the next workshop scheduled for the North West Province next weekend.

-ENDS-

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Altaaf Kazi at South African Tourism      

Tel: 082 553 9595

Email: altaaf@southafrica.net OR mediaq@southafrica.net