South Africa
B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code compliance, made simple
13 yes/no questions on the B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code: whether it applies to you, your size category, proof of your level, the scorecard elements, and the requirements specific to the sector. You get a score for each area and a list of gaps with what to do about each one.
ComplianceDesk gives you 7 pre-built B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code controls, an evidence vault, audit-ready reports, and reminders before anything falls overdue — so proving B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code compliance stops being a spreadsheet exercise.
Take the free self-assessment: a score for each area and a list of gaps to close.
What is B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code?
13 yes/no questions on the B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code: whether it applies to you, your size category, proof of your level, the scorecard elements, and the requirements specific to the sector. You get a score for each area and a list of gaps with what to do about each one.
- Official name
- B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code
- Status
- In force. Shown as in force as we understand it. Check the current text with the regulator or an attorney, since provisions can be amended or commence at different times.
Who it applies to
- Whether it applies to you depends on your size, activities and licences. Use the free "Which laws apply to me?" checker, or read the first section of the self-assessment.
- The amended Tourism Sector Code was gazetted in Government Gazette 39430 in November 2015 (reports give 20 or 26 November) under section 9(1) of the B-BBEE Act, and binds businesses in the tourism sector. A 2019 draft amendment aimed to align it with the amended generic codes. Reports did not show whether a final aligned version has been gazetted.
What you have to do
Does the sector code apply, and where do you fit?
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Have you checked that your business falls inside the scope of the Tourism Sector Code, and recorded the answer? Do you know your size category (exempted micro enterprise, qualifying small enterprise or generic enterprise) under this sector code? Do you hold the right proof of your level, either a verification certificate from an accredited agency or, where this sector code allows it, a sworn affidavit?
The scorecard elements
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Do you know the black ownership of your business and can you prove it from your share register and agreements? Do you track black people and black women at board, executive and management levels against the sector code's targets? Do you spend on skills development for black people, and keep proof of the spend and the training? Do you buy from, and develop, black-owned and small suppliers, and track the spend and the support you give? Do you make socio-economic contributions that benefit black people and keep proof?
Tourism sector requirements
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Have you checked whether a final aligned version of the Tourism Sector Code has replaced the 2015 code, and which version your verifier applies? Do you know which subsector you are in (for example accommodation, food and beverage, tour operators and travel agents, conferencing) and any subsector-specific rules? Do you track procurement from black-owned tourism suppliers and local community enterprises, and keep proof of the spend? Do you hold the grading, registration and licences your tourism activity needs (for example the Tourism Grading Council, liquor licence, or tourist guide registration) and meet the Consumer Protection Act duties that apply to customers?
Evidence and reporting
A business should be able to show that it can answer yes to these: Do you keep one evidence file per element each year, so a verifier or the sector council can check your claims?
How to comply, step by step
- Does the sector code apply, and where do you fit?. Compare your main activities with the scope section of the gazetted sector code. A sector code replaces the generic scorecard for entities within its scope. Take advice if you work across sectors. Use the thresholds in the sector code, not the generic figures, and record your category each financial year. Check whether this sector code accepts affidavits, then book verification early. A certificate is valid for 12 months.
- The scorecard elements. Reconcile your securities register to your ownership claim, and keep the agreements. See the B-BBEE assessment. Make a table by level, race and gender, and set yearly targets. Keep invoices, registers and certificates. See the Skills Development assessment. Run a spend analysis by supplier level and record each development contribution. Keep a register of each contribution with the recipient, amount and evidence.
- Tourism sector requirements. Ask your verification agency which version of the code they use, and check the Department of Tourism's notices. Record your subsector, and read the part of the code that covers it. Analyse spend by supplier type and look for local and community suppliers. List your registrations and renewal dates. See the Consumer Protection Act assessment.
- Evidence and reporting. Build the evidence file through the year, and not at verification time.
Sources and review status
Compiled from the public sources below. It is not legal advice and has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Last researched 2026-11-01. This is general information, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the current text and the regulator's notices before relying on it.
- Minister gazettes the amended B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code (gov.za)
- Amended Tourism Sector Code, Government Gazette 39430 (gov.za)
- All about the new Tourism B-BBEE Charter (Polity)
- Draft amendment B-BBEE tourism sector codes gazetted (SAnews)
- The amended Tourism Sector Code (BEE Chamber)
- Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act 53 of 2003 (Acts Online)
Every B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code control, organised for you
The real control library ComplianceDesk seeds the moment you activate B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code — 7 controls across 5 categories.
Ownership
- BBTOUR-1.1 Black ownership target per Tourism Sector Code
Management Control
- BBTOUR-2.1 Black senior/executive management representation
Skills Development
- BBTOUR-3.1 Hospitality and tourism skills development spend target met
- BBTOUR-3.2 Tourism learnership and internship programmes implemented
Enterprise & Supplier Development
- BBTOUR-4.1 Preferential procurement from black-owned tourism enterprises
- BBTOUR-4.2 Tourism enterprise development contributions
Socio-Economic Development
- BBTOUR-5.1 Community-based tourism and socio-economic development contributions tracked
Frequently asked questions
How can I check where my business stands on B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code?
Take the free self-assessment. It scores each area, lists your gaps with what to do about each one, and does not say you are compliant. You can save the result to ComplianceDesk to turn each gap into a task with an owner and a due date.
Is this guide written by a lawyer?
No. It was assembled from the public sources listed below and has not been reviewed by a lawyer. Treat it as a starting point and check the current law before relying on it.
How many controls does ComplianceDesk track for B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code?
7, organised into 5 categories, ready to assign to an owner as soon as you activate the framework.
Can I track B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code alongside other frameworks?
Yes — most teams activate several frameworks at once. Controls that overlap across frameworks can share the same evidence, so you don't collect the same document twice.
How long does it take to set up B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code in ComplianceDesk?
Activating B-BBEE Tourism Sector Code instantly seeds its full control library. Most teams assign owners and get their first controls moving within a day.
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