The IDC manages the GTIP on behalf of the department with energy and water efficiency audits being conducted by the NCPC-SA to determine the best possible solutions to be implemented.
While the uptake in the programme during the first two application windows was positive, the department recognised the need to expand the programme focus to also include water efficiency to mitigate the impact of persistent drought conditions in some parts of the country on the tourism sector.
The programme funding limits to qualifying small and micro tourism enterprises remain mostly unchanged but were adjusted to include water efficiency as follows:
• 90% of the cost for a new resource-efficiency (energy and water) audit or the full cost for reviewing an existing resource-efficiency audit; and
• Grant funding to qualifying small and micro enterprises on a sliding scale from 30% to 90% (capped at R1m) towards the installation of recommended water and energy efficiency measures.
"The inclusion of water efficiency solutions in the Green Tourism Incentive Programme contributes to the department’s objective of encouraging the South African tourism sector to adopt operational practices for the sustainable management and usage of water and electricity resources and adhering to responsible tourism principles," said the Victor Tharage, Department of Tourism director general.
