The deadline for tourist guides to send their proof of THETA-assessment, has been extended till end May next year. THETA is the National Tourism, Hospitality and Sport Education and Training Authority.

The Western Cape Minister of Tourism and Gambling, Joyce Witbooi, today expressed her appreciation to the National Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Mr Valli Moosa, for extending the deadline. The original deadline was 30 September this year.

The process of re-registration of tourist guides commenced last year. It is a method to standardize and streamline the industry and to ensure that all tourist guides meet the required standards and qualifications.

In the past SA Tourism was responsible for the registration of tourist guides, but the Tourism Amendment Act No. 70 of 2000 determined that all tourist guides must re-register in their own provinces. The Act also states that THETA must assess all tourist guides.

The evaluations and assessments are lengthy processes, causing bottlenecks, and have necessitated the extension of the deadline for the submission of assessments.

Minister Witbooi advises all tourist guides to take note of the new deadline. "Guides should note the new deadline. The extension is good news for Western Cape tourism. It will allow us to accommodate all our guides whose assessments are still pending."

To date the Western Cape tourism department has re-registered 2500 tourist guides. An additional 150 are awaiting their registration numbers. Registered guides sign a code of conduct and receive a badge and tour guide ID-cards.

In addition, the department will this month publicise a web-enabled directory and a profile of all registered guides so that consumers can be aware of who are registered guides.

In future tourist guides have to register every two years and pay a registration fee of R240.

In terms of the Tourism Act unregistered / illegal tour guides can be fined R5000. Tour operators who use the services of unregistered tourist guides, can be fined R10 000.

For more information, contact Mr. Ernest Sonnenberg in the office of the Western Cape Tourist Guide Registrar, Tel: 021 483 8754 and Fax: 021 483 5122.

Issued by: Western Cape Ministry of Tourism and Gambling
Media liaison: Hélène Rossouw
Cell: 082 771 8834 herossou@pgwc.gov.za