Responsible Tourism in South Africa

1. Responsible Tourism in South Africa Sindiswa Nhlumayo Acting Deputy Director General (Tourism) Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism

2. 1996 White Paper: Responsible TourismDevelopment & Promotion of Tourism in South Africa • 1994 Tourism identified as a key driver in reconstruction and development • 1996 South African White Paper on Responsible Tourism: the transformation agenda • The Rainbow Nation

3. National Generic Guidelines • DEAT 2001 National Generic Guidelines for Responsible Tourism • trade associations, • places and • activities. • DEAT 2002 endorsed as national sector guidelines to be used in IDPs. • DEAT 2003 Responsible Tourism Handbook – focused on the private sector • Planning &decision making • Benchmark for assessing developmental impacts

4. Making better places for people to live in And making better placesfor people to visit

5. What is Responsible Tourism? • Broad Movement • DEAT • FTTSA • FEDHASA Imvelo • ICRTSA • SATSA • Touch Africa Lightly • a triple bottom line approach to Tourism Management • a way of travelling – it offers a better experience • a movement • diverse: particular to cultures, places and organisations • characterised by transparency

6. Taking responsibilityfor sustainability You cannot outsource responsibility .

7. Responsible Travel takes a variety of forms, it is characterised by travel and tourism which • minimises negative environmental, social and cultural impacts; • generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the wellbeing of host communities, by improving working conditions and access to the industry; • involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances. Cape Town Declaration 2002

8. makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the world’s diversity; • provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural and environmental issues; • provides access for physically challenged people; and • is culturally sensitive and engenders respect between tourists and hosts.

9. Responsible Tourism • Economic performance defined in terms of triple bottom line • Growth ie economical, social and environmental sustainable • Responsible tourism – about giving equal weight to the three pillars • Tourists becoming vigilant consumers • Learn about the host country • Reduce environmental impact to local people • Destinations promoting good practice have a market advantage

10. Tourism Charter and Scorecard An example of social and economic responsibility • Charter: a series of commitments from the side of the tourism industry to achieve specific targets within an agreed timeframe to change the face of tourism in South Africa. • Scorecard: a measurement tool to help participants in the tourism industry identify their current levels of BEE, gaps in their profile, and how profiles can be improved. • Measures • Direct Empowerment through ownership and control of enterprises • Human Resources Development • Indirect Empowerment through Preferential Procurementand Enterprise Development

11. Economic Responsibility • Minimize revenue that leaks out of thelocal area by: • Employing local and black people • Purchasing locally made good • Setting up business relationships • Stimulating entrepreneurship • Providing appropriate skills • Boost overall standard of living in your area

12. Local Communities • Meaningfully involved to perceive benefits • Adopting BEE in tourism is about • Good Economic practices that can • Create jobs • Stimulate entrepreneurship • Boost economic growth • Responsible approach ensures that • All South African benefit from the virtuous tourism cycle

13. minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts • generates greater economic benefits for local people and enhances the well being of host communities; improves working conditions and access to the industry • involves local people in decisions that affect their lives and life chances • makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage embracing diversity • provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues • provides access for physically challenged people • is culturally sensitive, encourages respect between tourists and hosts,and builds local pride and confidence We are delighted to see that the Cape Town Declaration definition has been taken up by the WTM for its World Responsible Tourism Day supported by UNWTO

14. Responsible Tourism Awards