Get To Know Us
Empowering small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism economy
The premier advocate for the tourism industry in Southern Africa. SATU is a national trade union dedicated to advancing the interests of tourism workers and businesses across the region. Founded on the principles of empowerment, collaboration, and sustainability, SATU plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of the tourism sector through advocacy, support services, and strategic partnerships.
OUR CORE MISSION
Our focus and mission is to foster an enabling environment for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in intensifying their sustainability in support of the transformation of the tourism sector. Ours as SATU is to facilitate the promotion of entrepreneurship, the creation of an enabling operating environment for small enterprises, facilitating access to financial and non-financial resources for their products and services.
Furthermore to facilitate international and national market access for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises by developing, coordinating and fostering partnerships across all spheres of government, the private sector and relevant stakeholders that may our mission.
Ultimately our mission is to empower entrepreneurs and foster the sustainable growth of small and medium enterprises, opening and facilitating access to networks, and promoting a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem to drive economic prosperity and competitiveness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the tourism sector
OUR CORE VALUES
Intergrity
We uphold the full realisation in the economic transformation of the tourism sector
Collaboration
We foster partnerships to drive positive change and growth.
Intergrity
OUR OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVES OF THE SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM UNION
Empowering the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). To give previously disenfranchised SME’s a voice and representation in the tourism industry
- To provide small and medium enterprises (SMEs) with an effective voice to lobby and advocate for support mechanisms in realising the economic transformation of the tourism industry
- To facilitate greater participation the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism economy by levelling the playing field and promoting equitable trading conditions
- To improve access to funding, training, and other support services specifically tailored to the needs of small enterprises
- To advocate, educate, and demonstrate the value of inclusivity and diversity in tourism in order to promote economic growth and job creation driven by small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
OUR OBJECTIVES
Realising Enterprise and Supplier Development
Enterprise Development (ED) and Supplier Development (SD) is one of the three priority elements of the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Scorecard.
The South African Tourism Union aims to strengthen the procurement of qualifying small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhance local supplier development programmes and increased financial support towards small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Championing the Tourism Industry in Southern Africa
The South African Tourism Union is a non-profit company whose primary aim and objective aims to significantly improve the support system for tourism small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa, it aims to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by providing a platform where small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will have a platform to raise and lobby the union where enterprise development fails nationally and provincially.
South Africa’s tourism industry needs a home where procurement, trade benefits, enterprise development funding and tourism support for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) needs an organisation that will advocate for the full empowerment of emerging enterprises in the industry Not only do we identify the industry’s biggest enterprise development opportunities and challenges, but we also exist to hold government accountable to the full economic participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
Our Background
Empowering SMMEs in Tourism
Several common challenges to SMME’s development in the tourism as a whole have been identified. A number of critical issues have been identified as challenges, including enterprise development, transformation, market access and trade hosting; business management skills; access to ICT and infrastructure; skills and training; finance; regulation; and insufficient institutional support.”
Building a Sustainable and Inclusive Tourism Future
SATU operates on both national and provincial levels, with provincial boards and offices strategically positioned across Southern Africa. This allows us to provide localized support and assistance to tourism enterprises of all sizes, addressing the unique challenges and opportunities within each region.
By fostering collaboration and partnership among industry stakeholders, government agencies, and community organizations, we are able to amplify our collective voice and drive positive change within the tourism sector.