Stormsriver Adventures is a community based eco adventure company situated in the heart of the rural Tsitsikamma in the Eastern Cape. The adventures cater for all tastes - mild or wild, and a first for Africa - the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour.
The company evolved from humble beginnings in 1998 when the staff compliment was only three. Stormsriver Adventures has shown a strong commitment to the company Ethos Statement, ensuring that 84% of the now 44 employees come from the surrounding communities.
Training and development of local staff has been a cornerstone philosophy of the company, which has largely self funded guide training amounting to thousands over the past years. This has capacitated 620 community members, caterers and tourism reception staff since January 2000. All are qualified. Equal opportunity for all has led to the establishment of a catering company where the staff holds 80% equity.
Stormsriver’s involvement in community development includes environmental education for local schools, food provision, programmes in schools, development of local crafting, distribution of clothing to the poor, animal welfare education, and support for home based care groups.
A recycling initiative is currently being driven by Stormsriver Adventures as part of the company’s sustainable development philosophy. A committed environmental policy is rigidly applied, ensuring the protection of the surrounding sensitive environment. The company has developed Treetop Canopy Tour icon attraction, and the Woodcutters Journey Forest Tours. Provide unique aerial and landbased forest experiences.
All products ensure the sustainability of jobs created and allow the company to outsource further services to local community mini enterprises.
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) congratulates Stormsriver Adventures – a FTTSA-certified establishment – for capturing an award at 2007 Imvelo Responsible Tourism ceremony held on 23 November 2007 in Alexandra. Stormsriver Adventures cited the FTTSA certification process as having given them an edge in the competition, and as a valuable tool for a more sustainable tourism industry.
Stormsriver Adventures was certified by FTTSA in October 2003. This adventure tourism company is deeply committed to staff and community development, and to educating guests about environmental and social challenges in contemporary South Africa. Ashley Wentworth, CEO, accepted the Best Practice – Awareness Raising Award on behalf of Stormsriver, while acknowledging the important role that organizations like FTTSA play in raising awareness about responsible tourism. Stormsriver Adventures also won the PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN COMPANY OF THE YEAR - 2007 |
