Applicability of BEE requirements for tour operating enterprises in South Africa

Abstract

This article focuses on tour operating, one of the key sub-sectors of the tourism industry. The research highlights the profile of tour operating enterprises in South Africa, and evaluates their ability to comply with BEE requirements, as well as the utilization of tourism incentives. Data were collected by questionnaire through a simple random sample to known tour operators in South Africa, after input by SATSA, in 2004/5, and followed up in 2010/11. The results clearly indicate that tour-operating companies are typically small enterprises operating under the BEE radar and not capable of meeting BEE requirements. Neither do the majority of tour operators make any use of tourism incentives. Certain recommendations are made to address some of the shortcomings.