The investment made by government in funding and training of owners of small businesses within the tourism sector must be backed with increased stream of business to ensure sustenance of the small businesses. This was the view of the Portfolio Committee on Tourism following an interaction with stakeholders within the tourism industry in Limpopo Province.
For Ms Grace Sibara of Hayani Guest House on the outskirts of Polokwane, the main challenge has been that state entities take their business to established hotels within the CBD at the expense of the small and medium-sized enterprises. This to her undercuts the investment that government has made in ensuring that they set their businesses up.
“Sometimes as small hotel owners we feel like government is ashamed of us because they hardly ever bring business to us. I have a conferencing hall that can cater for 500 people and another lady has a conferencing facility with a capacity of 1 000 but we never get business from government,” said Ms Sibara.
Despite this, she sang praises for the support they had received from government in terms of funding to establish their businesses. They have received numerous funds from the Department of Trade and Industry which have enabled their businesses to grow and move to bigger facilities. She said like their name suggests, Hayani means at home, her business always strives to leave guests satisfied when they leave their establishment.
The Chairperson of the Committee, Ms Beatrice Ngcobo, said government must strongly consider taking business to establishments that were assisted by government in the process of starting up. “This will ensure that the investment made does not go down the drain,” said Ms Ngcobo.
She also highlighted the need for the Department of Transport to improve the road network across the province to improve the willingness by tourists to visit the province. “You must also consider the airlift strategy to ensure that access is optimised,” Ms Ngcobo emphasised.
But the Committee cautioned against an over-reliance on government. This is something the small businesses agree on.
Ms Gift Tsotetsi from Green SA and Exxilla Travel said there is a move within the province by small businesses to look beyond government to ensure growth. “We agree with the sentiment that we as small businesses must start looking at the private sector to grow and must not be entirely dependent on government. We also must improve the marketing of our products to ensure that a greater market is reached.”
The Committee continues its oversight visit to Limpopo with the aim of ensuring that the province reaches its potential in relation to tourism.
By Malatswa Molepo
14 September 2017
Arrange a tour