Become a SAYTC member

Click here to register as a member in the Accommodation sector
Click here to register as a member in sector other than accommodation
Click here to register as a member in Education South Africa (EduSA)

Benefits of membership

Marketing

SAYTC markets Southern Africa as premier backpacking and youth tourism destination, both internationally and locally. SAYTC also markets members’ products to other members and at international travel expos.

Travel shows

SAYTC attends international conferences and travel shows every year. Your product gets direct exposure and gets sold at these shows. SAYTC packages are also sold to agents and consumers abroad.

Marketing material

SAYTC regularly prints brochures that lists all members, their products and their contact details. Brochures are distributed at:

  • international trade shows and selected travel agencies abroad
  • selected South African Tourism and South African Consulate offices abroad
  • key tourist information centres and travel centres countrywide
  • the establishments of all SAYTC members

Website

Every SAYTC member gets a listing on the SAYTC website. The listing has a direct link to the member’s own website. Current domains registered include:

  • www.btsa.co.za
  • www.backpackingsouthafrica.co.za
  • www.backpackingsouthafrica.travel
  • www.backpackingsouthafrica.org

Networking

SAYTC offers a powerful networking tool as it promotes and recommends SAYTC members amongst each other. Regional networking functions are held regularly. National functions are held annually. This networking strengthens your business and promotes regional cooperation.

Representation

SAYTC is the united voice of the backpacking and adventure industry.  It creates and maintains good relationships with other government, regional, national and international bodies in the tourism and travel industry. SAYTC represents you on the:

  • Tourism Business Council of South Africa(TBCSA)
  • South African Tourism website
  • The Federated Hospitality Association of SA (FEDHASA) - East Coast (applicable to all SAYTC members)
  • WYSE Travel Confederation who represents the international youth market at the UN World Tourism Organisation

SAYTC attends meetings, expos and conferences on behalf of its members.  SAYTC attends or liaises with:

  • Indaba
  • Tourism Business Council of SA (TBCSA)
  • Fair Trade and Tourism (FTTSA)
  • Annual National Tourism Conference of SA
  • World Youth Student Travel Conference (WYSTC)
  • Adventure and Backpackers Expo (Sydney)
  • Adventure in Travel Expo (New York).

Information and statistics

SAYTC has been assisting the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) and NEDLAC with the Backpacker Tourism Sector Study. As a member you have exclusive access to the latest statistics relating to our industry.
As a SAYTC member, you will also receive:

  • a database of competition entrants of each international show (on donation of a prize)
  • a newsletter providing interesting info and  keeping you up to date with SAYTC and general travel industry news     
  • your regional reports and other regional, show and conference reports
  • access to the latest industry research and statistics
  • crime watch notices: SAYTC assists in the protection of members and guests by reporting and circulating incidents  of theft, bilking and missing persons

Moola Magic

Moola Magic is a loyalty discount program that rewards travellers who spend their moola at SAYTC establishments. Travellers can buy Moola Magic at any participating member or online www.backpackingsouthafrica.co.za. The Moola Magic card entitles the holder to discounts at over 160 discounters around Southern Africa.
 
Moola Magic is an opportunity for you to recoup your membership fee & get more backpackers in your beds and on your tours.

To qualify for Moola membership, you have to:

  • be a paid-up member of SAYTC
  • offer a discount of 5% to Moola Magic card holders if you’re a backpacker’s lodge
  • offer a discount of at least 5% if you offer non-accommodation services

And in return, you get these benefits:

  • More clientele as Moola Magic card holders will choose to graze on your patch
  • 10 free Moola packs(containing ¬a discount card and booklet) which you can sell for R120 each. Wow, you’ve made R1200 and have discounted membership to SAYTC
  • Opportunity to profit from further Moola Magic sales
  • Being part of the biggest youth tourism network in South Africa

Membership rates

Accommodation:

  • 30 beds or less – R1 925
  • 31 to 60 – R 2915
  • 61 above – R3 850

Language centres: (worked out on +- 10 people per class)

  • 1 to 8 classrooms – R1 925
    9 to 16 - R2915
    17 above – R3850

Wheels/ Adventure: (pax a year)

  • Under 100 pax – R1 925
  • 101 – 500 pax – R2 915
  • 501 above – R3 850

Volunteers/ Interns:

  • Below 50 a year – R1925
  • 51 to 120 - R2 915
  • 121 above – R3 850

Affiliate members:

  • Below 1 mil turnover-R1 925
    1mil to 2 mil turn over – R2 915
    + 2 mil turn over – R3 850

2nd businesses will be registered as follows:

1st business registered must be the biggest business and R1320 for every business thereafter.

Click here to register as a member in the Accommodation sector
Click here to register as a member in sector other than accommodation