NATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (NDT)

The newly formed Department of Tourism South Africa aims to fulfill the national government`s role towards creating the conditions for responsible tourism growth and development by promoting and developing tourism. The department is headed by the Minister of Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk. 

DEPARTMENT OF TRADE & INDUSTRY (DTI)

The DTI provides leadership to the South African economy through its understanding of the economy, its knowledge of economic opportunities and potential, and its contribution to ASGISA.   It acts as a catalyst for the transformation and development of the economy and responds to the challenges and opportunities of the economic citizens, in order to support the government`s economic goals of growth, employment and equity. It also aims at providing a predictable, competitive, equitable and socially responsible environment for investment, enterprise and trade.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM (SAT)

South African Tourism is a national tourism agency responsible for the international marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. Domestic Tourism marketing has also become an important component of SAT`s overall functions. Its aim is to make tourism the leading economic sector in South Africa, and to promote sustainable economic and social empowerment of all South Africans. South Africa is marketed as an integral part of Africa and particularly the subcontinent of southern Africa.

TOURISM GRADING COUNCIL OF SOUTH AFRICA (TGCSA)

Established in September 2000, the TGCSA is mandated to provide a framework and process for grading across all relevant sectors of the tourism industry in South Africa. The TGCSA ensures that a standard of quality is achieved across all the services and facilities offered by the South African tourism industry. 

INTERNATIONAL MARKETING COUNCIL (IMC)

The International Marketing Council of South Africa was established in August 2002 to help create a positive and compelling brand image for South Africa.  The main objective of the organisation is to market South Africa through the Brand South Africa campaign. The most important benefit of having a consolidated brand image is that; a consistent Brand South Africa message creates strategic advantages in terms of trade and tourism for the country in an increasingly competitive marketplace. 

TOURISM ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP (TEP)

TEP is a Section 21 (not-for-profit) company that utilises funding from Corporate South Africa Government  to facilitate the growth, development and sustainability of small tourism businesses in South Africa.

CATHSSETA

Cathsseta, the Culture, Art, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority,  is the Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) established under the Skills Development  Act (No 97 of 1998) [the Skills Act] for the Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Economic Sector.

A SETA`s main function is to contribute to the raising of skills - to bring skills to the  employed, or those wanting to be employed, in their sector. They have to do this by ensuring  that people learn skills that are needed by employers and communities. There is no value in  training people if they cannot use the skills they have learnt. Training and skills development  is not just for young people starting their first jobs though it is important for them too! The  skills of people already in jobs must also be enhanced.

Training must be to agreed standards, within a national framework wherever possible. It  is no good if someone is trained in one province if their qualifications are not recognised  in another. It is not ideal for one employer to increase the skills of his or her staff if  another employer does not recognise them. All training, wherever it is provided, should be  subject to quality control and where appropriate be compared to the best international  standards.

United Nations World Tourism Organisation

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO/OMT), a specialized agency of the United Nations, its the leading international organization in the field of tourism. It serves as a global forum for tourism policy issues and practical source of tourism know-how. The UNWTO`s membership is comprised of 150 countries, seven territories and more than 300 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation

The Indian Ocean Tourism Organisation (IOTO) is a regional tourism marketing body founded in June  1995. IOTO`s vision is that every country around the Indian Ocean Rim will optimise its tourism  potential in a sustainable manner to the benefit of all its people. This is to be achieved through  intra and inter-regional marketing, initiating activities that are strategic and of common interest  and mutual benefit to stakeholders in the region.

African Travel Association

The Africa Travel Association (ATA) is a non-profit, non-political travel industry trade association. It promotes tourism to the African continent and intra-Africa travel. It was established in 1975. Its primary objective is to promote the tourist attractions of the African continent. South Africa has launched provincial chapters of this organization in the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.

Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa

The Regional Tourism Organisation of Southern Africa, RETOSA, is a regional tourism cooperation organization intended to develop the combined tourism interests of its 14 member states well into the next century.  Its mandate is to market and promote the Region in close cooperation with the Region`s national tourist organisations and the private sector. The organisation, as the official SADC (Southern African Development Community) tourism body, the full spread of stakeholder interests in the Region - public and private sectors, and community - into one focused organisation