Media Release: How to apply for Tourism Road Signage

For Immediate Release
25 February 2021

Government and the private sector understands the importance of the Tourism Sector, in particular its impact on the economy. Tourism creates jobs, sustains livelihoods and promotes a country’s natural and cultural heritage. It is however important for each person to know where to find tourist attractions through clearly identifiable signs. Such signs are approved for five (5) years or rejected by a Regional Tourism Liaison Committee (RTLC) and in the case of the Western Cape, the Western Cape Provincial Government in collaboration with the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL).

What do tourism road signs look like?

Tourism road signs in South Africa contain white symbols and lettering, displayed on a brown background. These signs are erected from the nearest numbered route, with additional signs indicating directions to a tourism attraction or facility. It does however become tricky in urban areas where there are a lot of signs, buildings, and other objects. This is why generic signs may be considered by the RTLC.

Purpose of tourism road signs?

The purpose of tourism road signs is not intended to advertise a tourism attraction, but to guide the public to a facility while a person can enjoy an excursion. Therefore, tourism road signs are intended to clearly indicate the route pedestrians and motorists need to travel along to reach specific attractions or facilities.

Who can apply for a tourism road sign?

Owners of registered tourism facilities and/or attractions may apply for tourism signs.

Approval of road signs

Approval for a tourism sign depends on the quality of the facility or service, the need for a road sign at a given point, and whether a sign can be erected without causing a traffic hazard.

Tourism road sign application process

Those interested in applying for a tourism road sign needs to contact their nearest Local Tourism Office (LTO) to discuss the requirements and to collect an application form. Each LTO is responsible for providing applicants with answers to specific requirements and indicate whether such a premises would be recommended by them. Once an applicant has completed all required documentation, it needs to be submitted to the issuing LTO. LTOs are subsequently responsible for submitting documents to the RTLC for review.

The evaluation of a facility by the LTO comprises of, amongst other things, compliance with warrants. Warrants serve as assurance of acceptable standards for a tourist, who is influenced to support the establishment by means of being exposed to the tourism road signage.

Approval of tourism road signage

If an application has been recommended by a LTO, or in some instances a Local Economic Development Unit of a Municipality, it will be forwarded to the RTLC and the Transport Directorate for review.

The requirements of Transport Authority vary according to the status of the road. More important mobility roads will have stricter requirements. Once the road authority has access to all the relevant documentation, information is processed in terms of the relevant road regulations. Technicalities such as the placing of the sign; distance from a crossing; number of existing signs; and the speed limit of the particular road where the sign is intended to be erected, are taken into account

When submissions are approved, an applicant will be furnished with a digital drawing of the sign. In addition to this, a list of approved manufacturers who conform to tourism standards will be provided too.

Rejection of tourism road signage

LTOs will provide clear reasons for why applicants have not been granted permission to erect tourism road signage. This decision will be preceded by an on-site inspection of the facility by the LTO to measure its compliance to a certain number of required tick-boxes.

If an applicant’s submission is rejected, SANRAL will inform the applicant of such a decision and provide the reasons behind it.

Fees payable

Applicants will be responsible for appointing a manufacturer to do the work in accordance with a letter of approval and for all costs related to the erection of the sign. SANRAL has specific conditions under which approval may be granted.

The tourism road sign is up, now what?

Once the sign has been erected, it becomes the property of SANRAL and may be relocated or removed at their discretion. Applicants remain responsible for the upkeep/ maintenance of their respective road signs.

If the applicant’s facility no longer complies with warrants, SANRAL may remove all tourism road signs. SANRAL or LTOs can, at any moment inspect a facility to ensure that it still meets the relevant authorised standards.

Contact information for offices responsible for signage:

*PLEASE NOTE

National roads are governed by the South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL), provincial roads by the Provincial Roads Department (PG: WC), district/secondary roads by the District Council and normal streets by the Local Municipality.*

ENDS