TUI CARE FOUNDATION LENDS A HELPING HAND TO BOOST AFRICA!IGNITE
WOWZULU LOCAL TOURISM INITIATIVE

TUI Care Foundation has launched 100 Helping Hands programme to help mitigate the impact of
COVID-19 on the global travel industry. One of their beneficiaries is the Africa!gnite WOWZULU
Sustainable Tourism Initiative (WOWZULU) in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. WOWZULU
comprises of 7 Marketplaces located across majestic landscapes and historical heritage sites
spanning from Isandlwana, eMazizini, Khula Village, Ballito, Inanda and KwaNzimakwe.
TUI Care Foundation identified the plight that the tourism industry faces amid this pandemic.
Recognising the dire need to pivot and adapt to the impact of COVID-19, their 100 Helping Hands
programme extends aid to maintain Africa!Ignite WOWZULU Marketplace ’s livelihood, and
sustain their tourism businesses during the crisis.
This well-rounded 6 month programme launched this September will :

• educate on COVID-19 tourism business compliance
• Provide Marketplace COVID-19 upgrades where required
• provide PPE along with relevant operational materials to tourism businesses in the
WOWZULU destinations
• have a promotional campaign to boost attraction and awareness for domestic tourism
The aim is to ensure that the WOWZULU tourism destinations are among the safest place to be
and visit.
The collaborative partnership between TUI Care Foundation 100 Helping Hands and Africa!Ignite
has a solid focused plan and output which includes:
• production and distribution of 460 face masks for rural communities in the 7 WOWZULU
tourism destinations
• printing and distribution of COVID-19 education leaflets and 1 hour information sessions
with 460 community beneficiaries in the 7 tourism destinations
• WOWZULU Marketplace entrepreneurs workshopped to develop new domestic tourism
offerings
• WOWZULU domestic tourism offering photographed and associated graphics developed
• WOWZULU Marketplace upgrades in line with government regulations for COVID 19
• subsidies for WOWZULU Marketplace owners
• operational support to Africa!Ignite

The global COVID-19 pandemic predicts a massive decline in tourism. The number of
international tourist arrivals to South Africa in 2020 is expected to decline by at least 40% to 6.1
million for the year according to the latest data released 22 July 2020 by the Strategic Insights
and Analysis (SIA) unit of SA Tourism.
According to the KZN Tourism Recovery Plan (April 2020), the phased approach to opening the
industry starts with local residents, intra-provincial and inter-provincial travellers.
Hence, this fervent initiative to help Africa!Ignite WOWZULU Marketplaces :
• be prepared to operate in the new economic and industry environment
• create new and improved experiences that will be marketed via various channels
Alexander Panczuk, Executive Director of the TUI Care Foundation, explains: “People in
communities around the world are facing enormous challenges due to the pandemic – especially
in regions that depend on tourism. At TUI Care Foundation we want to protect those more
vulnerable, for example by providing them with much needed sanitary items and information. In
addition to that, we want to support small local entrepreneurs in reorienting their business models
in light of current developments – empowering them to benefit from tourism as soon as the sector
is thriving again.”
TUI Care Foundation 100 Helping Hands could not have come at better time to assist in
decreasing job losses and provide tools and training for success.
Thank you to the TUI Care Foundation 100 Helping Hands. This programme is a ray of hope to
positively impact the Africa!Ignite WOWZULU Marketplaces survive this crisis and execute safe
enjoyable tourism that appeals to both the domestic and international markets.

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About TUI Care Foundation
Building on the potential of tourism as a force for good, the TUI Care Foundation supports and
initiates partnerships and projects which create new opportunities for the young generation and
contribute to thriving destinations all over the world.
Connecting holidaymakers to good causes, the TUI Care Foundation fosters education and
training initiatives to open up new opportunities and perspectives for young people, the protection
of the natural environment in holiday destinations and sustainable livelihoods in thriving
destinations where local communities can benefit even more from tourism.
TUI Care Foundation works global and acts local – it builds on strong partnerships with local and
international organisations to create meaningful and long-lasting impact. The charitable
foundation values transparency and the efficient use of funds. Therefore; 100% of the donations
go to partners and projects with all operating costs of the foundation covered by TUI.
TUI Care Foundation was founded by TUI, the world’s leading tourism business, in 2011 and is
based in the Netherlands.