Mpumalanga Tourism Relief Fund open for applications

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Mpumalanga Tourism Relief Fund

The tourism sector plays a vital role as part of the provincial economy. Sustaining businesses and jobs in the sector is crucial towards recovery after lockdown. The Mpumalanga Provincial Government has set aside R10 million to mitigate against the impact of COVID-19 to the tourism sector in the Province. The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) invites Mpumalanga tourism businesses to apply for COVID-19 tourism relief funding. This is in support of the National Tourism Relief Initiative focusing on Mpumalanga’s Small, Medium and Micro enterprises (SMMEs) in distress due to the pandemic.

WHO CAN APPLY?

All those tourism amenities that did not benefit from the National Tourism Relief Funding and any other funding provided by the South African Government. The following tourism amenities and services are thus targeted for the relief fund to sustain operations and jobs.

• Accommodation establishments – hotels, resort properties, bed and breakfasts, guest houses, lodges and backpackers.
• Hospitality and related services – restaurants (not attached to hotels), crafters and creative arts.
• Conference venues (not attached to hotels), professional catering and attractions.
• Travel and related services – tour operators, travel agencies, car rental companies and coach operators.
• Tourist Guides; Professional Hunters and Tourism Grading Assessors.
• Informal tourism related businesses, e.g. subsistence businesses or crafters and artists except for performing artists.

QUALIFYING CRITERIA:

The following criteria applies to all applications to be received from accommodation establishments, hospitality and related services, travel and related services and informal tourism related businesses.

• Be an existing tourism/specific establishment as outlined in the scope of application.
• Be a business operating in the Mpumalanga Province.
• Be a registered tourism business (CIPC, Trust, Co-operatives and Sole proprietor).
• Be a tax payer in good standing with a valid tax clearance certificate.
• In business for one year or more and have not benefited from the National Tourism Relief Fund and/or any other government providing funding.
• Business with a turnover of not more than R10 million per annum.
• Proof that the relief fund is required as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
• Must submit six (6) months bank statement dated from January 2020 to June 2020.
• Must submit proof of employees in service prior to April 2020 (list of employees with a sworn statement (Affidavit)
• Motivation – how lockdown regulations brought about hardship and distress in the business.
• Declaration that the relief fund will not be utilized to service pre-existing debts either than to help retain jobs and sustenance of the business.
• Note: In case of an informal/subsistence tourism related business, a proof from the relevant municipality and or institution in which you operate will be required.

TOURIST GUIDES, PROFESSIONAL HUNTERS AND TOURISM GRADING ASSESSORS:

The following criteria applies to all applications to be received from Tourist Guides, Professional Hunters and Tourism Grading Assessors.

• Note: In case of tourist guides, you must be registered with the Mpumalanga Provincial Registrar (MTPA) in terms of the National Tourism Act 3 2014.
• Note: In case of professional hunting, you must be registered as a professional hunter with the MTPA in terms of the Mpumalanga Nature Conservation Act.
• Note: In case of a tourism grading assessor, you must be registered as a Tourism Grading Assessor as certified by the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa.
• Note: Proof of an active registration valid until January 2020.
• Note: Not benefited from the National Tourism Relief Fund for tourist guides or UIF.

GRANT VALUE:

The grant amount available per application that qualifies will be considered as follows:

• Accommodation establishments will receive an amount that ranges between R25 000 to R50 000 as maximum for applicant.
• Hospitality and related services will receive an amount that ranges between R15 000 to R30 000 as maximum per applicant.
• Travel and related services will receive an amount that ranges from R15 000 to R30 000 as maximum for applicant.
• Individual Tourism Tourist Guides, Professional Hunters and Tourism Grading Assessors will receive an amount of R6 000 per applicant.
• Informal/subsistence tourism related businesses will receive an amount of R5 000 per applicant.

HOW TO APPLY?

The application form and guidelines that outlines the criteria for eligible applications are available on the website of the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) as follows: www.mpumalanga.com

The application forms and all enquiries regarding to the programme can also be requested from:

Ms Phumeza Kalawe           063 185 9098        |              phumeza.kalawe@mtpa.co.za
Ms Londiwe Ngwenya          082 092 3913        |              londiwe.ngwenya@mtpa.co.za

Ms Siphiwe Thomas             067 810 8276        |              siphiwe.thomas@mtpa.co.za

Ms Beatrice Nkalanga          071 303 8536        |              NkalangaBP@mpg.gov.za

Completed forms with all supporting documents may ONLY be submitted electronically

on the following email address: tourism@mtpa.co.za

PLEASE ENSURE THE FOLLOWING:

1. That the correct application form is used as specified.
2. That the applicant (business) is fully tax compliant.
3. That all applications be submitted on or before 29 January 2021 (closing date).
4. That all supporting documents including ID copies, Tax Clearance certificates, six (6) months bank statements, etc. MUST be certified.
5. The informal and subsistence crafters and Creative Artists proof of registration from the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation (DCSR).
6. Any application received after the closing date shall not be accepted.