*** HEADLINE PHOTO: Mr Skade with Ntokozo Mthombeni of Tourism Business Council SA ***
By Staff Reporter
SACTI Calls on KuGompo City/East London Tourism Sector to Prepare for 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup
The President of the South African Chamber of Tourism Industries (SACTI), Siyabulela Skade, has called on the tourism and hospitality industry in KuGompo City/East London to aggressively prepare for the anticipated influx of international and domestic visitors ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027.
With Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium selected as one of the official tournament venues, the city has a unique opportunity to showcase its tourism offerings, cultural heritage, and hospitality excellence to a global audience.
SACTI welcomes the ongoing multi-million-rand infrastructure upgrades aimed at enhancing transport networks, visitor facilities, accommodation capacity, and destination readiness. These investments will not only support the successful hosting of the tournament but will also leave a lasting legacy for local communities and the tourism economy.
The Chamber further encourages tourism enterprises, guesthouses, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers, and township tourism businesses to position themselves strategically for the opportunities that the World Cup will bring. Particular attention should be given to service excellence, digital marketing, visitor safety, skills development, and sustainable tourism practices.
SACTI also commends efforts to expand community-based accommodation and homestay programmes, which will enable township and rural communities to participate directly in the economic benefits generated by the tournament. This inclusive approach aligns with the Chamber’s commitment to tourism transformation, job creation, and local economic development.
*** Mr Skade with Glenton De Kock the CEO of South African Association for the Conference Industry ***
“The 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for East London and the broader Eastern Cape to demonstrate the warmth, diversity, and hospitality of our people. We encourage all tourism stakeholders to work together to ensure that visitors enjoy an unforgettable experience while maximizing the economic benefits for local communities,” said Siyabulela Skade, President of SACTI.
To access tourism business funding in South Africa, entrepreneurs and tourism enterprises can apply for a range of sector-specific funding instruments, including the Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF), the Tourism Equity Fund (TEF), and the Tourism Support Programme (TSP), all of which are designed to promote growth, transformation, competitiveness, and sustainability within the tourism sector. In addition, businesses may explore broader financing opportunities offered by institutions such as the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), which supports tourism and hospitality projects with strong developmental and economic impact.
Tourism operators are also encouraged to participate in local networking forums, investment readiness workshops, business development programmes, and compliance seminars organised by municipalities, tourism authorities, development agencies, and business associations, including those hosted by the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. These platforms provide valuable information on funding application processes, business compliance requirements, market access opportunities, and enterprise development support, enabling tourism businesses to strengthen their operational capacity and improve their prospects of securing financial assistance.
SACTI remains committed to collaborating with government, municipalities, tourism authorities, business associations, and local communities to ensure that the Eastern Cape is fully prepared to welcome the world in 2027.