BACKPACKING SOUTH AFRICA (BSA) was formed in 1998 as a trust organisation for the purpose of cooperatively marketing South Africa as the best international backpacking and adventure destination.

In 2007, BSA recognised the need to incorporate address other aspects of youth tourism. BSA expanded and the South African Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC) was formed. SAYTC is a non-profit, membership-driven organization with the following objectives:

• to market South Africa globally as a preferred youth tourism destination.  
• to establish a professional youth tourism industry based upon accreditation and guidelines.

SAYTC represents operators like you and addresses the concerns and interests of all operators throughout South Africa. Members are represented  by the following sectors:

• Backpacking South Africa
• Education South Africa
• Tours & transport South Africa
• Volunteering South Africa

Membership is not limited to South Africa, but includes members from neighbouring Southern African countries: Lesotho, Namibia and Zambia.

Most youth tourism service operators in the region are independent, but recognise the need for a national body, that is looking after the needs of visitors to South Africa. All members have undertaken to abide by basic standards and work towards the common good of both the traveller and industry.

SAYTC EXCO Members

• Gavin Eyre
  SAYTC Chairman and WC chair
  
  
  
• Zile de Kock
  Secretary
  
  
  
• Steve Thomas
  Trustee
  
  
  
• Deborah Smook
  National Co-ordinator
  

Sector chairs

• Noelline Claassen van Loggenberg
  BSA chair
  
  
  
• Kim Whittaker
  BSA vice chair
  
  
  
• Shaun Fitzhenry
  EduSA chair
  
  
  
• Johannes Kraus
  EduSA vice chair
  
  
  
• Craig Kensley
  TATSA chair
  
  
  
• Greg Bows
  VolSA chair
  
  
  
• Mike Denison
  VolSA vice chair
  

Provincial chairs

• Marius Marnewecke
  GR Chair
  
  
  
• Matthew Rowe
  Garden Route vice-chair
  
  
  
• Sean Price
  EC chair
  
  
  
• Maria
  Gauteng Chair
  
  
  
• Patrick Moroney
  KZN Chair