The Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk has gazetted the Tourism BEE Charter and Scorecard for final public comment.

Interested parties have to submit their comments to the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism before or on 22 March 2005.

The draft scorecard proposes a ten-year programme, which is implemented over two phases stretching over five years each.

The Industries that are covered by the draft Tourism BEE Scorecard are defined into three sectors, the first one being Accommodation Sector, which includes hotels, resort properties, and time-share, bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and game lodges.

The second sub-sector is the Hospitality and Related Services one that includes restaurants not attached to hotels, knowledge groups and conference venues not related to hotels.

The third one is the Travel Distribution Systems which includes wholesalers, tour operators, travel agents, tourists guides, care hire and coach operators.

Reflecting on the process thus far, Chief Director Communication of the department JP Louw said: "The BEE Scorecard process has been an inclusive and open process that was driven by the tourism industry and stakeholders."

Van Schalkwyk appointed a Steering Committee chaired by Tim Modise, Chairperson of Proudly South Africa, to develop a draft scorecard for his consideration.

"This process has been completed and the minister is now calling on the public to provide final comment before the announcement of the final Tourism BEE Scorecard at the Tourism Indaba set to take place in May 2005," Louw said.

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