Part of Ugu South Coast Tourism’s Development mandate includes conducting an ongoing needs assessment in the more rural and undeveloped areas within the destination in order to find ways in which to build capacity and address skills shortages.

As a result, a series of interventions have taken place in the past and plans are in the pipeline to formalize training on a more frequent basis.

Last week, Ugu South Coast Tourism hosted two workshops in both Harding and Scottburgh, both of which were well attended and proved to be very fruitful for the participants. The participants ranged in age from 18 â€" 55 years old and were from a diverse sampling of industries such as beauty, hospitality, farming, catering and even carpentry.

The Introduction to Marketing workshops re-iterated the strength of the value chain and the importance of networking and building relationships. They also highlighted how SMME’s, individuals and businesses should relook their markets and conduct ongoing market research.

Says Maxwell Mhlongo, Development Officer for Ugu South Coast Tourism `The feedback we have received from the communities and participants was excellent and for 2017 we are hoping through our networks with stakeholders that we can encourage accredited trainers and businesses to get involved in the empowerment of communities and SMME’s in the new year’.

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Supplied by: Nikki Tilley Marketing and Events Specialist, Ugu South Coast Tourism marketing@tourismsouthcoast.co.za