For Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism to review
Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism has not yet seen this page. It describes the organisation only through what it has said or done, and through what others named here have said about it. The Forum has not approached Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism about anything. Until Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism has approved the text, it may change. Questions for Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism:
- Is this description of the department and the Tourism Growth Fund correct? What would you like to change?
- Can a group of organisations from one ward apply to the fund together, if one of them has operated for two years?
- Where should tour guides in the valley go to register?
- Should readers reach you through the moderators, or through a public contact?
The Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) is the provincial department for the economy and tourism. It runs the Tourism Growth Fund, which has R7 million for 2026/27 [IC]. A proposed application to the fund for a heritage trail linking Greyton and the mission settlements is on this site as the Valley of Grace Heritage Trail [MS].
What the letters in square brackets mean
Facts on this page are followed by a tag that shows where they come from.
- [IC] Independently Corroborated. Confirmed by an official record, such as a government notice or a court or council record, or by at least two sources that do not depend on each other.
- [MS] Mission-Sourced. Comes from the organisation’s own website or statements, from the statements of a group it works with, or from the Forum’s own records. It has not been checked against sources that do not depend on them.
- [TBV] To Be Verified. Seems likely, but nobody has confirmed it from a reliable source yet.
At a glance
| Kind | Government |
| Based in | Not yet known |
| Website | westerncape.gov.za/edat |
| Role | Runs the Western Cape Tourism Growth Fund [MS] |
| Link to the valley | Possible. The valley may apply to its fund |
| Contact with the Forum | Not approached |
What it does
The Tourism Growth Fund gives co-funded grants for tourism infrastructure, new or improved tourism products, and business development, and prefers projects outside the metro and in underserved areas [MS]. Municipalities, tourism organisations, and registered tourism businesses may apply if they are tax compliant and have operated for at least two years [MS]. There is no closing date: applications are assessed as they arrive until the money runs out [MS]. The fund aims to help double international arrivals to the province by 2030 [IC].
How its work reaches the valley
- The heritage trail. The proposed application asks the fund for R691,350 of a project costing about R1.8 million [MS]. At the Forum’s first meeting, a proposed application of about R1.4 million was presented [MS].
- Transport permits. The first meeting agreed that the municipality’s representative would raise delays with tourism transport permits at the next DEDAT session [MS].
- Tour guides. The provincial registrar of tourist guides sits in this department [TBV].
Where it touches this site
- Valley of Grace Heritage Trail, an idea not yet agreed, the proposed application to the fund.
- The Overberg Leopard Corridor, an idea not yet agreed, which draws on the fund’s aims.
- Inaugural Meeting, 16 September 2026, which records the presentation and the permit action.
- Tourism Act, on registering tour guides.
What is still open
- The amount the valley would ask for. The figures on this site differ (about R1.4 million presented at the first meeting; R691,350 of R1.8 million in the draft application).
- Where the provincial registrar of tourist guides can be reached.
Have your say
If you know more about Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s work in the valley, contact the moderators via How to Submit.
Related
References
- Western Cape Government, Department of Economic Development and Tourism. Tourism Growth Fund. What the fund supports, who may apply, and how.
- SAnews. Western Cape opens R7m Tourism Growth Fund for applications (19 September 2026).
- Ward 2 Development Forum. Inaugural Meeting, 16 September 2026. Who attended, what was discussed, and the actions agreed.