The tourism sector in South Africa plays an important role in the economy and in 2016 contributed R 402 billion to the economy  (9.3% of the GDP) and was responsible for 9.8% of South Africa’s total employment. Tourism is likely to continue to grow and is set to contribute 11.5% of South Africa’s GDP by 2023 (South African hospitality outlook: 2013-2017)

This growth, however, may be curtailed if tourist destinations are not accessible and do not comply with international best practice standards. It is important, therefore, to define best practice standards and support tourism institutions in achieving these. Gauge has a strong understanding of sustainability and inclusion standards and has developed effective tools to apply these in a wide range of contexts and building types in South Africa.

They are currently working a project that includes auditing tourism sites and developing prioritised recommendations to address gaps in standards and improve performance. Gauge will be developing design interventions that complement and supplement existing infrastructure to create more accessible and inclusive sites.