Hessequa Municipality hereby invites the submission of applications from Tourism SMME’s, Tourism NGO’s and Tourism NPO’s for financial assistance during the 2026/2027 financial year for the following: Tourism Accommodation Star Grading Certificates (TGCSA), Tour Guide Registration, Industry Body Membership (e.g. SATSA), Industry Exhibition Booking and Registration (e.g. KykNET Outdoor Expo), Tourism Trail Development Projects and Art, Culture and Tourism Show Participation.
The application is aimed at providing funding to qualifying Tourism SMME’s, Tourism NGO’s and Tourism NPO’s as part of tourism development. The funding will be allocated in the form of a grant.
Hessequa Municipality will provide financial support, based on the following criteria:
- The enterprise must be a registered legal entity in South Africa in terms of the Companies Act, Close Corporations Act, the Co-operatives Act and Non-Profit Organisation Act.
- The enterprise must be majority (51%) South African-owned.
- The enterprise must be located and operate within the Hessequa Municipal boundaries.
- The enterprise must have an annual turnover of R5 million or less.
- The enterprise must be in operation for at least one calendar year from date of application.
- The enterprise must be tax compliant in accordance with the regulations of the South African Revenue Service.
- The enterprise must be in possession of a valid zoning certificate as issued by the Hessequa Municipality, which confirms the land-use.
- The enterprise must be in possession of a valid occupation certificate as issued by the Hessequa Municipality, should it be operated from a building.
NOTE: Incomplete and late submissions will not be considered.
Application forms are available on the Hessequa Tourism website www.explorersgardenroute.co.zaand the Hessequa Municipal website: www.hessequa.gov.za As an alternative, contact the Senior Tourism and Development Officer, Mr. R Malan at riaan@hessequa.gov.za or 028-713 7953.
Applications must be placed in a sealed envelope with the heading “Hessequa Tourism Product Development Fund 2026/2027” and submitted at any Hessequa Municipal office across the region. Alternatively, applications can be emailed to riaan@hessequa.gov.za
The Hessequa Tourism Section encourages all qualifying entities to apply for programmes taking place between 20 July 2026 until 30 June 2027.
Note that a non-compulsory information session is scheduled for Friday, 08 May 2026 from 10h00 on MS Teams. E-mail riaan@hessequa.gov.za to register.
The closing date for submissions is Monday, 25 May 2026 at 16h00.
