No easy road: South Africa's Responsible Tourism Journey

Heidi van der WattInternational Centre for Responsible Tourism – South Africaheidi.keyser@mweb.co.za

South Africa is known for breathtaking South Africa is known for breathtaking scenic beauty and globally important scenic beauty and globally important biodiversity hot-spots,biodiversity hot-spots,

world-class- tourism infrastructure and successful events....

a melding of cultures, successful political transition and maturing democracy.

But we are still challenged by high levels of poverty and deprivation, economic inequalities, and ..

backlogs in services such as water, electricity and transport.

To be a great place to visit, South Africa must first be a great place to live

Our journey began in 1996, and took a leap forward in 2002.

FEDHASA launched the Imvelo Awards,

In 2002, SA hosted the 1st International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations, leading to the “Cape Town Declaration”,

and the 1st certification programme started up.

BEFORE AFTER

Tourism is bringing positive change to people’s lives...

and protecting our natural environment.

Responsible Tourism is seen as a priority by all spheres of government, by politicians and officials.

We are showcasing our efforts on major trade and consumer marketing platforms,

INDABA 2011

and working together to make Responsible Tourism a reality destination-wide.

Major players in the sector are promoting their green and social responsibility,

and some have received global recognition for their social, economic and environmental actions.

2009 Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards: Best Destination – Cape Town

We have developed a National Minimum Standard for Responsible Tourism (NMSRT) to harmonise certification criteria.

The NMSRT is aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria, but reflects South Africa’s context and priorities in four categories.

Sustainable management & operations

Environmental responsibility

Economic responsibility

Socio-cultural responsibility

RT becomes the norm in the destination

Adoption and implementation of Responsible Tourism

However, our journey is just beginning as for many it is still “business as usual”.

Responsible Tourism should be central to Responsible Tourism should be central to how we do business. how we do business.

We are preparing a national Responsible Tourism Strategy, to be launched towards the end of 2011, to help drive wide-spread implementation.

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THANK YOUDANKIEENKOSIMERCI

PHOTOS: Heidi van der Watt, Bruce Sutherland, Coco van Oppens, Grootbos, World Travel Market, Club Travel, Tourism Community Development Trust