Cape town: The Western Cape Government has officially launched its R7 million Tourism Growth Fund, inviting municipalities, tourism organizations, and businesses in the tourism sector to apply for funding. The initiative aims to enhance the region's tourism offerings, fortify existing tourism products, and generate employment opportunities. According to South African Government News Agency, the Tourism Growth Fund (TGF) is managed by the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT). It offers co-funded grants to support high-impact tourism infrastructure, product development, and business growth projects throughout the province for the 2026/27 financial year. The application process is ongoing, with no fixed deadline, and will continue until the R7 million is fully allocated. Applications are evaluated on a continuous basis. The primary goals of the fund include attracting private investment, enhancing the competitiveness of tourism destinations and products, and promoting the growth of tourism enterprises to foster job creation. The TGF is part of a broader provincial strategy to boost the tourism economy, with an ambitious target to double international tourist arrivals by 2030. The fund supports collaborative projects that improve visitor infrastructure, develop new tourism products, and enhance market access for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs) in the tourism sector. Applicants are encouraged to address issues such as outdated infrastructure, limited market-responsive experiences, and uneven distribution of tourism activities across different regions. Proposals that align with high-growth thematic areas, such as farm and food tourism, village heritage, wellness escapes, jewel towns, and Western Cape trails, are particularly welcome. Eligible applicants include municipalities and municipal entities involved in tourism or local economic development, tourism and destination organizations, and registered tourism businesses and SMMEs operating in the Western Cape. Applicants must be in good standing with the South African Revenue Service (SARS) and demonstrate their capacity to meet the fund's co-funding requirements, where applicable. The fund is categorized into three main areas: Category A supports tourism infrastructure, Category B focuses on tourism product development, and Category C aids business development and market readiness. Applications undergo a competitive assessment based on criteria such as strategic alignment with the fund's objectives, implementation readiness, projected impact, and available funding. Prospective applicants must submit their proposals through the online Tourism Growth Fund portal, ensuring that all required documentation is complete, legible, and valid. Applications submitted via email or hand delivery will not be accepted. The department emphasizes the importance of fulfilling all qualifying criteria, which include proof of at least two years of operation, tax compliance, and the ability to provide necessary registration and financial docume ntation. Depending on the project, additional requirements may include proof of co-funding, landowner approval, and confirmation of relevant statutory, planning, environmental, or heritage approvals. Applicants are advised to thoroughly review the Call for Proposals and structure their submissions accordingly, detailing their organizational profile, project specifics, anticipated impact, and comprehensive budget plans. The fund aims to support inclusive tourism growth, with a focus on non-metropolitan and underserved areas, while attracting further investment and broadening the geographic distribution of tourism activities across the Western Cape. Early submission of applications is encouraged due to the rolling assessment process.