TOURISM investment in Southern Africa looks set to receive a boost with this week’s announcement by the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) that it would be embarking on a new tourism strategy to accelerate and prioritise tourism projects.
These projects, says DBSA tourism specialist, Kate Rivett-Carnac, will fall within the themes: anchor projects, clusters of small businesses that together achieve scale, community partnerships, transport infrastructure and projects with the ability to draw new or underserved markets.
DBSA will consider medium- to large-sized tourism projects, although smaller ventures such as community guesthouses may also be considered from time to time. The new strategy will also support the development of municipal tourism plans.
“The overriding theme and requirements for these projects should be ‘catalytic’. This means the ventures in which DBSA invests must seek to grow tourism in their area and create a positive multiplier effect. Projects should also be BEE-compliant, create jobs, be environmentally sensitive and promote overall economic and social development.”
