Hessequa Municipality hereby invites the submission of applications for financial and/or non-financial assistance for hosting a tourism related event/festival during the 2026/2027 financial year.

The call for proposals is aimed at providing funding to tourism events/festivals which require additional capital to establish and or to grow such an event/festival. The funding will be allocated in the form of a grant. Hessequa Municipality will provide financial- and non-financial support, based on the following criteria:

• Only tourism events will be considered, which includes art festivals and exhibitions, music festivals, sport events and cultural festivals.
• The tourism event/festival must address the seasonality of the Hessequa region, with preference given to events/festivals taking place between March and October.
• The event/festival must employ locals as part of the supporting staff and organizing members.
• The tourism event/festival must support the hospitality sector and contribute to the increase in occupation of overnight accommodation establishments.
• The tourism event/festival must promote the Hessequa Tourism brand, and the tourism logo must be featured in all the event/festival marketing material.
• The event organizer must be a legal entity e.g. Non-Profit Company, Non-Governmental Organization, Sport Club or Private Company with proof of registration or constitution.
• The tourism event/festival must confirm the funding applied for, the funding the event organizer has towards the event/festival and any sponsorships or letters sent to request sponsorships.
• The tourism event/festival must be sustainable and hosted annually.
• The tourism event application form and corresponding risk assessment form must be completed and submitted on time.
• The tourism event/festival must submit a detailed event proposal along with the application.

NOTE: Incomplete and late submissions will be disqualified.

Application forms are available on the Hessequa Tourism website www.explorersgardenroute.co.za and 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 “Tourism Event/Festival Application 2026/2027” and submitted at any Hessequa Municipal offices across the region. Alternatively, applications can be emailed to riaan@hessequa.gov.za

The Hessequa Tourism Section encourages tourism events/festivals taking place between 20 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 to apply.

Note that a non-compulsory information session is scheduled for Friday, 15 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.