New proposals to build expansive industry monitoring system

Minister Hanekom recently published new proposals regarding a ‘national tourism information and monitoring system’, open for public comment from the date of publication. Credit: The South African.

South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Derek Hanekom published new proposals zoning in on a ‘national tourism information and monitoring system’ on September 7, open for public comment.

The purpose of the new system is to regulate the collection, recording, analysis, management, and dissemination of information and data on tourism to monitor developments and trends.

The regulations appear to apply to a wide range of tourism-related businesses, groups, and individuals across South Africa.

All categories, content and form of data and information to be captured on the system include: all tourism-related information, such as the Tourism Satellite Account (TSA) classifications and categories; accommodation; Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE); attractions and activities; tour operators and tourist guide services; tourism information services; hiring and leasing; passenger transport and related services; travel agencies and other reservation services; cultural services; sports and recreational services; and tourism-related infrastructure.

The content and form of data and information to be captured include, but is not limited to: the legal name of business; trading name; Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) registration number; years of operation; physical and postal address; type of business or company; business structure; franchise information; ownership type; classification and category of business; classification of business; Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) information; tourism grading and levy information; universal accessibility; member association; number and type of rooms; number of beds; type of amenities providers; number of conference rooms and total seating capacity; total parking capacity; dietary restrictions, liquor licence and smoking facilities; type of travel services, number of vehicles and carrying capacity; type of cultural and recreational services offered; amenities such as wellness spa, swimming pool and others; and contact information.

Data and information may be provided in hard copies or electronically, at least once a year. Furthermore, all data and information must be provided within 30 days where there are changes to the information or upon request.

If the Department reasonably believes that the information provided during the verification process is incorrect or misleading, the Department, in writing and within a reasonable period, must afford the individual who submitted the data an opportunity to correct the information.

Offences and penalties apply if information deliberately submitted is incorrect or misleading, resulting in either a fine or imprisonment not exceeding 12 months, in some cases both.

Interested and affected persons are invited to submit a written representation on the proposed Regulations within one month from the date of publication of the notice.

To view the regulations in respect of the national tourism information and monitoring system, click here.

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