The Western Cape Government has opened applications for its R7 million Tourism Growth Fund, calling on municipalities, tourism organisations and tourism businesses to submit projects aimed at expanding the province’s attractions, strengthening tourism products, and creating jobs.
The Tourism Growth Fund (TGF) is administered by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) and provides co-funded grants for high-impact tourism infrastructure, product and business development projects across the province during the 2026/27 financial year.
“Applications are open and there is no fixed closing date. The call will remain open until the available R7 million has been allocated, with applications assessed on a rolling basis,” the department said.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to submit their proposals as early as possible to ensure that their projects can be considered before the available funding is fully committed.
Supporting growth
The fund aims to unlock private and third-party investment, improve the competitiveness of tourism destinations and products and support tourism enterprises to grow and create jobs.
The TGF forms part of the province’s broader objective of growing the tourism economy and contributing to the target of doubling international tourist arrivals to the Western Cape by 2030.
Furthermore, the fund supports collaborative and high-impact initiatives that upgrade or expand visitor infrastructure, develop new or improved tourism products and experiences and strengthen business development and market access for tourism small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
“Projects should address key constraints such as ageing infrastructure, limited market-responsive experiences and uneven geographic spread of tourism activity and should ideally align with high-growth thematic areas such as farm and food, village heritage, wellness escapes, jewel towns and Western Cape trails,” the department said.
Preference may be given to initiatives aligned with high-growth tourism themes, including farm and food tourism, village heritage, wellness escapes, jewel towns and Western Cape trails.
Eligible applicants include Western Cape municipalities and municipal entities responsible for tourism or local economic development, tourism and destination organisations such as local tourism offices, destination management organisations, associations and relevant non-profit organisations, as well as registered tourism businesses and SMMEs operating in the province.
Applicants must be in good standing with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and, where applicable, demonstrate their ability to meet the fund’s co-funding requirements.
Applications and criteria
The fund is structured around three categories: Category A provides support for tourism infrastructure, while Category B focuses on tourism product development. Category C provides support for business development and market readiness.
Applications are subject to a competitive assessment process based on the published criteria, the quality of the proposal, strategic alignment with the fund’s objectives and thematic areas, implementation readiness, projected impact and the availability of funding.
Applicants must apply through the prescribed online Tourism Growth Fund portal and upload all required supporting documentation. Applications submitted by email or delivered by hand will not be considered.
“Applicants must ensure that all sections of the online application are completed in full and that all compulsory supporting documents are submitted, legible and valid. Applications with missing, damaged or illegible documentation cannot be considered.
“The qualifying criteria will be applied strictly. Applicants must, among other requirements, demonstrate that the applying entity has been operating for at least two years, is tax compliant, and is able to submit the required registration and financial documentation,” the department said.
Depending on the nature of the project, the department explained that applicants may also be required to provide proof of co-funding, landowner approval and confirmation that relevant statutory, planning, environmental or heritage approvals are in place or sufficiently advanced.
Applicants are urged to study the full Call for Proposals before starting their submissions and to prepare project proposals in accordance with the prescribed structure.
Proposals should provide details of the applicant’s business or organisational profile, the project, anticipated impact, monitoring and evaluation measures, implementation plan, cash flow and detailed budget.
The fund is expected to support projects that contribute to inclusive tourism growth, particularly in non-metropolitan and underserved areas, while leveraging additional investment and expanding the geographic spread of tourism activity across the province.
“The Fund remains open until the available budget has been fully allocated. Applications are assessed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged,” the department said. – SAnews.gov.za
