A Black Economic Empowerment scorecard for the tourism industry was introduced in Pretoria on Monday.

The scorecard forms part of a BEE Charter which aims to include black people in the tourism industry and make it more globally competitive.

Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk officially launched the Tourism BEE Charter Council to oversee the implementation of the charter.

Groups rated on 7 levels

"The charter includes measurement tools to help participants in the industry identify their current BEE levels, gaps in their BEE profile, and how to improve their rating on a balanced scorecard," Van Schalkwyk said.

He referred to the scorecard which sets out milestones to be achieved by 2009 and 2015.

It rates tourism operators and businesses on seven levels of BEE compliance ownership, strategic management, employment equity, skills development, employment equity, preferential BEE procurement, enterprise development and social development.

Van Schalkwyk said the charter would apply to every enterprise in the tourism industry from the largest corporations to the smallest entrepreneur. The rating achieved by the BEE scorecard is not compulsory but Van Schalkwyk said it would be used by government, one of the biggest clients in tourism, to determine spending.

Assist black entrepreneurs

"The rating will be used by all spheres of government in determining spending partners and for targeting investment and development funding through institutions like the IDC and the Development Bank," Van Schalkwyk said.

Tami Sokutu, chairman of the council, said the charter would greatly assist black entrepreneurs in the sector.

"We would like to see the charter benefiting black workers, professional graduates and school leavers through addressing skills barriers embedded in skills development and employment equity," he said.

The council launched a BEE Charter website for those who wanted to find out more at www.tourismbeecharter.co.za. The council could also be contacted at 012-310-3625.

Sapa