THE Durban West Community Tourism Organisation (DWCTO) has called for more engagement with stakeholders in the tourism industry to enable them to comply with the most current rules.
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This follows the recent move by Durban Tourism to cement its commitment to enhance product quality for hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs in the greater Durban area by ensuring those in the industry meet the legal requirements which have been set.
Level the playing field
“It has become increasingly important for the region to level the playing field in the hospitality sector by ensuring that all traders are legal traders and have the necessary licences to trade,” said DWCTO chairperson, Briony Leigh Smith.
“Not only is this in the best interest of the consumer, who can be assured they are dealing with a legal entity when booking accommodation, it also ensures a more professional trading environment for product owners.”
Information forum
As part of this process, Durban Tourism recently issued invitations to the many stakeholders in the region to attend an information forum where the measures and inspection criteria will be explained.
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“Product owners will also be able to attend a plenary session on compliance where rates, star grading and business licensing will be discussed. This meeting aims at unpacking Durban Tourism views when it comes to compliance and what interventions they can assist with as the department,” said Smith.
The forum will host representatives from the eThekwini Municipality, the Business Licensing as well as the Rates Department, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs, the National Department of Tourism and the TGCSA.
Plenary session
“Anyone in the hospitality sector in KZN will benefit from attending this important session where top representatives of the tourism sector will share advice and insights,” said Mbali Tamojah, a product quality inspector at Durban Tourism.
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“We will also have a plenary session with eThekwini Municipality’s Rate Department, Business Licencing Department, Town Planning and the tourism grading council of South Africa (TGSA). Should you have any pressing issues with any of these departments, they will be there to assist and provide answers,” said Tamojah.
How to attend
The Product Quality Stakeholder Engagement Forum meeting will take place on Thursday, 19 March, from 8.30am to noon at the Westville Civic Centre. If you require more information or would like to attend, RSVP directly to Tamojah by email Mbali.tamojah@durban.gov.za or phone 031 322 4161.
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