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Business

‘MZANSI TOURISM CHAMPIONS’

WEBSITE UNITES A SECTOR IN NEED

B Y LINSEY SCHLUTER

The travel and tourism sector is one of the hardest hit by the

global uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and the
resultant lockdowns imposed in many countries. Although the
industry, through the Tourism Business Council of South Africa
(TBCSA), is lobbying hard for the return of local and international

travel (perhaps as early as September), the outlook remains grim.

he TBCSA predicts that 600 000 that, by building a network of people The platform is not focused solely on nancial
tourism jobs could be lost this year who can offer skills, advice and monetary support. According to Bosman, Mzansi
alone, which would be a devastating donations, we’ll all be able to weather the Tourism Champions will act as a marketplace

Treality for anyone working in the storm.” for a number of di erent services, from free
sector. But in true South African spirit, people legal advice to design and copywriting skills.
are pulling together – and nowhere is this A ‘strong collective’ is at the heart of Mzansi
more evident than in the launch of Mzansi Tourism Champions. Any individuals in “Essentially, the website aims to put two
Tourism Champions, an online platform the industry, from agents and operators, people together. For example, if Tom needs
dedicated to championing the needs of those to freelance guides and business owners, data for his work, he can post this request.
working in the tourism eld. can register on the website and set up a Lizy sees the post and has R100 available.

profile. Once they have a profile, they can She messages Tom directly in order to get
Heinie Bosman, one of the founders, either ask for help, or offer assistance. his details and buy him some data.”
says that Mzansi Tourism Champions is a
collaborative effort across sectors, which “Through an honest, supportive and In many ways, it is a simple, straightforward
hopes to bring immediate support or constructive platform, we aim to unify way for people in the tourism industry to
relief to immediate problems. current efforts,” says Bosman. “We want to support someone in need. But it is so much
bring various parties together to facilitate more. There are ‘Think Tank’ discussions
“The website matches people in need the distribution of donations, especially on how to improve the industry, and
with people who can help. It’s very much to those who are struggling to access how to innovate for the future, as well as
a platform of ‘asks’ and ‘answers’. We hope relief funds and schemes.” collaborative discussions on how to solve

Fourways Gardens • 26 • August 2020