MEMBERSHIP: SODURBA COMMUNITY TOURISM ORGANISATION
As part of the eThekwini Municipality, Sodurba encompasses the Bluff, Merebank, Wentworth, Austerville, Isipingo, Treasure Beach, Jacobs Prospecton, Woodlands, Montclair, Yellowwood Park, Clairwood, the Harbour and Wilson’s Wharf.
It covers a stretch of 40by 10kms and has a great deal to offer both locals and visitors from other parts of the country and around the world.
Sodurba Tourism Association (South Durban) is a non-profit organisation and recognized as the official Community Tourism Organization (CTO) by the Local and Provincial tourism authority. The association comprises members from the area, referred to and marketed as South Durban. The annually elected Management Committee (MANCO) controls the daily affairs of Sodurba CTO. All MANCO members, being private and appointed tourism product owners, are obliged to manage the association in terms of the constitution, whilst as a body holding the institution’s assets in trust as guardians for the stakeholders. The member’s ultimate responsibility to the association is to contribute with knowledge and wisdom to the discussion and formulation of wise and practical means to ensure that the resources of tourism and publicity of the eThekwini Municipality are being protected and improved.
The function of Sodurba Tourism Organisation
The objectives of the organisation are to publicise and market the South Durban as a prime tourist destination and place in which to conduct business or to reside.
To give publicity to the advantages of the South Durban as a holiday and health center, a national environmental resource area, an industrial, commercial, civic and residential area, and to assist in its development.
The importance of Tourism:
Both the Tourism industry and business need to strive for excellence by promoting the area, leading to job creation and a better life for the individual. Tourism offers greater benefits than any other industry in terms of regional development and generation of a mindset of greater spending, and then well so within the South Durban and greater eThekwini Municipality catchments area.
What are the benefits of becoming a member?
1. Display your brochures in the tourist information bureau.
2. Market promotions through Durban Tourism.
3. Receive regular correspondence on what’s happening in the tourism corridors.
4. Upon the tourism office receiving enquiries from domestic, international & local residents, members’ businesses and contact detail will be supplied to them from a standard alphabetic listing.
5. Sodurba members list on the Sodurba website, Durban Tourism website and Tourism KZN website.
6. Sodurba members list in the Sodurba Visitor Guide directory when going to print.
7. Sodurba members list on the Sodurba Map Directional boards when going to print.
8. Sodurba facilitate general networking and overflow opportunities amongst all stakeholders.
9. Establishments can apply to eThekwini Rates for an annual refund up to 50% (T&C Apply)
10. Sodurba membership permits mandatory application to the EDTEA for TKZN membership.
11. TKZN membership permits establishment to be graded through the Tourism Grading Council of SA.
12. TKZN memberships permits signage along provincial routes for graded establishments.
What are the responsibilities of the member?
Brochures: – Provide the tourist information bureau with (50 – 80 copies)
– Control stock levels at least every three months
Rates/fares/fees: – Ensure that information in possession of the tourism bureau is up to date reflecting
current specials, prices, rates, fares etc
– Specify seasonal rates, packages, specials, services etc if and where applicable
Membership/Subscription:
Application for membership should be made by completing a Sodurba membership application form and emailed back, together with the relevant documentation, email melissa@sodurba.co.za .The application will be tabled to MANCO whilst Durban Tourism quality checks the establishment, following which, the applicant will be notified of the audit observations and whether the application has been successful.
Upon application being successful, an invoice will be emailed for payment. Email proof of payment to the tourism office: admin@sodurba.co.za will generate a membership certificate and a letter of acknowledgement which is to be forwarded to the EDTEA / TKZN for mandatory provincial membership and to the eThekwini Rates Dept for a rates rebate (terms & conditions apply).
Membership renewal:
It is each member’s responsibility to renew membership annually at the commencement of the next financial year, i.e. 1 July.
Legal Implications/requirements:
Any tourism establishment or operator that has been found guilty of having contravened the EDTEA / TKZN regulations may be liable:
For a fine not exceeding R10 000 imposed by the EDTEA / TKZN
To have your registration suspended for a period not exceeding three years; or
For both such a fine and suspension of your registration
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP:
The subscription of each member shall be determined by MANCO and shall be payable up receipt of invoice.
All subscriptions for subsequent years shall be due and payable at the commencement of the next financial year, i.e. 1 July.
SODURBA TOURISM MEMBERSHIP FORM 2022-23[1]
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