FTTSA NEWSFLASH AUGUST 2008

A warm welcome to all our readers as we bring you August's exciting news!

Who's your daddy? Daddy Long Legs Art Hotel is number 36 in FTTSA's stable!
FTTSA welcomes its newest certified establishment: Daddy Long Legs Art Hotel , which appeals to those seeking an authentic, contemporary experience of Cape Town . This unique small hotel promotes local music and art throughout its operations, and is seriously committed to empowering its staff. The hotel has also instituted a number of environmental management systems focusing on energy, water and waste, and a new eco-friendly room will soon be available to guests. Commenting on the value of the FTTSA assessment and certification process, Daddy Long Legs' General Manager Sergio Dreyer stated, “It was an enlightening and truly inspiring journey that helped us become a more sustainable business. Going forward, we will continue to strive to improve as a fair trade establishment and implement this model in our other establishments and all future endeavours”. To learn more about Daddy Long Legs Art Hotel , visit: http://www.daddylonglegs.co.za.

FTTSA participates in the Responsible Tourism and Transformation Conference
The Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa (TECSA) held a conference on 23 July 2008 at Willow Park Conference Centre, Johannesburg . The main objective of the event was to highlight the links between Responsible Tourism and Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE). FTTSA's Executive Director, Jennifer Seif, gave a presentation focusing on the Socio-Economic Development (SED) component of the draft Tourism Code. The audience consisted of various tourism stakeholders interested in implementing the 7 elements of the BEE scorecard into their business strategy. TECSA is also the proud sponsor of the Best Social Involvement Category and the Best Practice – Economic Impact Category of the IMVELO Responsible Tourism Awards. For more information on the Imvelo Awards, please visit http://www.imveloawards.co.za/ and to find our more about TECSA, the Tourism Code and SED, please visit http://www.tourismbeecharter.co.za/ .

FTTSA takes part in the Tourism Transformation Consultative Sessions
FTTSA's Marketing Manager, Lolla Meyer, attended the 1st of the Tourism Transformation Consultative Sessions, which took place on 25 July 2008 at Emperor's Palace in Johannesburg . The Deputy Director General from the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT), Ms Sindiswa Nhlumayo, chaired this session which aimed to share and discuss three important tourism initiatives with approximately 30 key tourism partners. The initiatives include the planning of the National Tourism Career Fair, the development of an integrated Tourism Service Excellence Strategy for South Africa and the implementation of a Social Tourism Programme. For more information on the National Tourism Career Fair scheduled in Durban on 14-16 October 2008, visit http://www.tourismcareers.co.za/ .

FTTSA celebrates National Women's Day at the Women and Transformation Workshop
Happy Women's Day to all the ladies in tourism! FTTSA attended the Women and Transformation Event hosted by the Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa (TECSA) on 05 August 2008 in Fourways, Johannesburg . The workshop featured very interesting and informative presentations by three dynamic women from the industry. Ms Adrienne Harris (Managing Director, Harvest Tourism, and a founding member of FTTSA) spoke about the challenges and scopes of enterprise development as a catalyst for the empowerment of women. Ms Itumeleng Dlamini, Head of the 2010 LOC African Legacy, 2010 Local Organising Committee spoke about opportunities for women and enterprise development around the FIFA 2010 World Cup.The last speaker was Ms Lee-Ann Bac, Director of Grant Thornton strategic Solutions and a member of the FTTSA certification panel. Her topic was “Women, skills, occupation and management in the hospitality and travel and tourism sector”. For more information on future events, please contact Arlene Wilson-Max (Director: Stakeholder Liaison for TECSA) on 011 384 7630 or email awilson-max@tourismbeecharter.co.za .

Flavours of Fair Trade Evening, Milpark, Johannesburg held on 28 August 2008
FTTSA teamed up with Fair Trade South Africa (FTSA) and Bean There Coffee Roastery to showcase South African Fair Trade products and initiatives. This event enabled Fair Trade enthusiasts and supporters to learn more about the growing numbers of Fair Trade goods and services on offer in South Africa , and served as a useful networking opportunity. For more information on where to buy Fair Trade Coffee please visit http://www.beanthere.co.za/ and visit Fair Trade South Africa at http://www.fairtrade.org.za/ to find out more about various other Fair Trade products available in South Africa .

Agri-Tourism Development in Limpopo Province
FTTSA's Limpopo Agri-tourism project was recently launched at a workshop in Pretoria on 23 July 2008 and attended by representatives of the Limpopo Department of Local Government and Housing, project donors, the Limpopo Centre for Local Economic Development (LED) as well as other project stakeholders. Following the workshop, Menno Houtstra, Project Manager for ECEAT (European Centre for Eco- and Agri-tourism) and Meruschka Govender, FTTSA's Project Manager, went on a study tour of Limpopo to visit potential farms to be included in a proposed new Agri-tourism cluster. For more information on this exciting new FTTSA initiative please email meruschka@fairtourismsa.org.za . This project is funded by the Limpopo LED Fund, which is a partnership between the European Union and the Limpopo Department of Local Government and Housing.

FTTSA welcomes Glendyrr Fick
Glendyrr Fick has been appointed as the Local Coordinator for the Garden Route component of a two-year community tourism project funded by the National Development Agency (NDA) and implemented by FTTSA. Glendyrr holds an International Diploma in Sustainable Tourism Destination Management, from WES (West Flanders Economic Institute in Belgium ). She is stationed at the Knysna Tourism Office and has managed several local and regional community based tourism projects over the past seven years. Glendyrr will be coordinating various skills development activities including sustainable tourism training and tour guide training on behalf of project beneficiaries in the Garden Route . For more information on this initiative, please email Glendyrr Fick on development@knysna-info.co.za .

FTTSA and Cape Town Tourism team up to promote Responsible Tourism
FTTSA and Cape Town Tourism have signed a reciprocal agreement to promote responsible tourism in Cape Town . As part of FTTSA's commitment, the first five members of Cape Town Tourism to become certified (new applicant only) will receive a 30% discount on their annual user fee for the first year. Cape Town Tourism members will also enjoy a discount on FTTSA's two-day workshop on sustainable tourism. In return, Cape Town Tourism will create a dedicated space in its offices for displaying collateral of FTTSA-certified establishments who are also members of Cape Town Tourism. To find out more about Cape Town Tourism visit, www.tourismcapetown.co.za . FTTSA looks forward to working more closely with Cape Town Tourism in future!

FTTSA survey: Investigating the feasibility of certification in the volunteer tourism sector
FTTSA believes that there is a need for recognition of responsible practices in the volunteer tourism sector. If you are a volunteer tourism organisation, we hope you will take ten minutes to complete this quick, easy survey to assist us in investigating the feasibility of independent certification in the volunteer tourism sector. Please click on the link below for the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tbUs6fFWyJ_2bREpMM7sPqRQ_3d_3d . If you have any questions or comments, please contact Meruschka Govender, FTTSA Project Manager at meruschka@fairtourismsa.org.za .This survey closes on Friday, 12 September 2008.

Staff development at Cape Grace Hotel
Staff from FTTSA-certified Cape Grace Hotel in Cape Town recently attended an interesting training course on Table Mountain National Park facilitated by iKapa Honorary Rangers. This course was part of an ongoing programme by Ikapa Honorary Rangers to introduce hotel workers in the city to the spectacular Cape Floral Kingdom . Cape Grace Human Resources Manager, Dorothy van Hoorn, stated, “With the high number of overseas and local visitors coming to Cape Town and staying at the Cape Grace it is important for our staff to be knowledgeable about our city and the National Park”. For more information about Cape Grace Hotel please visit www.capegrace.com and for information on this initiative, please visit http://www.sanparks.org/groups/hr/news/ikapahr_award.php.

South Africa 's R6bn literacy campaign on track!
The South African government is to spend R6.1-billion over the next five years on the Kha Ri Gude (Let us Learn) mass literacy campaign, which aims to enable an additional 4.7-million South Africans to achieve literacy by 2012. President Thabo Mbeki launched the campaign, which forms part of the Adult Basic Education and Training programme, during his State of the Nation address in February this year. It is currently operating as a pilot project, with full rollout scheduled for 2009. For more information please visit http://www.africagrowth.com/Africa_SMME.htm

REMINDER

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa's new contact details
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) has moved to new premises! This is a friendly reminder to note our new contact details:

Phone:                   +27- (0)12 342 2945/3642
Fax:                      +27- (0)12 342 2946
Physical address:     1270 Church Street , 34A Hatfield Corner, Colbyn, Pretoria
Postal address:        PO Box 12844 , Queenswood, 0121, Pretoria

ANNOUNCEMENT

Ever wonder what happens to all the electrical appliances we throw away? This type of waste is known as “e-waste” (waste from products that run on electricity) and it's a growing problem worldwide. To tackle this problem in South Africa , the e-Waste Association of South Africa (eWASA) has recently been established, with the support of the national Information Technology Association (ITA) of South Africa . ITA has been working closely with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Testing and Research (EMPA) to study e-waste recycling in developing and transition countries. Locally the focus is on the development of viable business models, which ensures the management of e-waste along a value added process model thereby maximizing opportunities for refurbishment, repair, reuse, recycling, and new product development from e-waste components while providing opportunities for entrepreneurial activities based on job creation and poverty alleviation. For more information on e-Waste Association of South Africa , visit http://drupal.e-waste.org.za/?q=node/69 .

RESOURCES

Marketing Tourism in South Africa 3rd Edition
Marketing Tourism in South Africa, 3rd Edition is a book that equips students as well as practitioners with South African tourism industry-specific knowledge. The text familiarises the reader with the tourism industry in South Africa , including the key role-players. Each chapter is followed by a case study set in a Southern African context. The 3rd edition of the book comes complete with updated statistics, new case studies and new examples. For more information on this book by Dr. Richard George, please visit http://www.commerce.uct.ac.za/managementstudies/staff/rgeorge/Documents/.

EVENTS

Fair Trade Workshop Invitation Regional Training – Franschhoek, Busy Bee Training Centre, Tulbagh 10-11 September 2008
This is a short training workshop on Fair Trade, its benefits and challenges which is offered by Fetola Mmoho in partnership with The Shared Interest Foundation based in the UK . For more information contact: Chantal de Kock on cdekock@fetolammoho.co.za or phone 021 788 4603.

Innovating for Sustainability, Africans Investing in Africa, CAF Southern Africa's Conference, Wanderers Hotel, Illovo, Johannesburg, 17-18 September 2008
Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Southern Africa's 2008 conference will explore innovative financial models for philanthropy and social enterprise. Participants will discover the relationships between social investment, good corporate governance and visionary leadership. For more information and to register for this conference, contact Mokgaetse Thoka or Mihloti Mgimeti on 011 726 1148.

Join South Africa in celebrating the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations, China, Beijing, Shanghai, 02-14 October 2008
The Republic of South Africa is holding an expo to mark the 10th year anniversary of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China. Diplomatic relations between South Africa and China were established on 1 January 1998. Some of the objectives for the expo are to showcase South Africa 's technology advancement & innovation, mining capabilities, defence technology, agro-processing, arts and culture and tourism. This expo aims to enable South African firms to take advantage of export opportunities to the Chinese market. For more information about this event please contact Sake van der Wal on SvdWal@thedti.gov.za or 012 394 1483.

The Natural & Organic Products Exhibition, Cape Town International Convention Centre, 17-19 October 2008
This event caters for environmentally aware, sophisticated consumers and trade representatives looking for sustainable solutions to suit changing lifestyle and work type requirements. Learn how issues like food security, health, and the environment are driving consumers to be more informed and to make better choices. For more information about how to be actively involved in this exhibition, contact Janine Johnston (Exhibition Manager) on 021 671 0935 or janine@specialised.com or visit www.naturalandorganic.co.za .

2008 Africa SMME Awards, Cape Town , 23 October 2008
This unique annual awards program has been established specifically to acknowledge, encourage and celebrate excellence amongst African Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMME). The Awards aim to afford successful SMMEs valuable exposure and well-deserved recognition for their global expansion ambitions. Award winners will feature prominently in the media, with the dual aim of helping the African SMME business sector grow and prosper, and marketing Africa as an investment destination for the rest of the world. The Awards function itself will feature keynote speaker Dr. Rob Davies, Deputy Minister in the South African government's Department of Trade & Industry. For more information contact Dina Potgieter on dina@africagrowth.com or visit http://www.africagrowth.com/Africa_SMME.htm .

Regional Dialogue Yebo (REDY) workshop, Birchwood Hotel and O.R Tambo Conference Centre, Johannesburg , 18-19 November 2008
Aid to Artisans, in collaboration with its subsidiary organisation Aid to Artisans South Africa Trust, is facilitating REDY (Regional Dialogue Yebo) in November 2008. This is a unique opportunity for those who are committed to improving the quality of life for artisans and craft entrepreneurs in Southern Africa in order to develop strategies for sustainable growth. Some of the objectives for this workshop are to maximize business success with increased knowledge of current trends in the global and regional tourist markets and to develop strategies to capitalise on the growing green market. FTTSA's Jennifer Seif will be making a presentation on tourism supply and demand in Southern Africa . If you would like to be considered for a free hotel room, register by 10 September 2008. For more information and registration visit www.aidtoartisans.org.

Eco Storm - a movement for Sustainable Tourism Destination Development, Basecamp Masai Mara, Kenya, 17-20 November 2008
Eco Storm is a global resource for sustainable tourism destination development. Initiated and directed by the Basecamp Explorer Group, and sustained by a strong network of experts and practitioners, Eco Storm Masai Mara will provide the opportunity to explore tools and practices that could be implemented to ensure that the ecological balance, local livelihoods and product quality are not left without proper attention. Workshop facilitators include Justin Francis from Responsible Travel.com, Dr. Murray from the Centre of Environment Oxford University, Judy Kepher Gona from Eco Tourism Kenya and Dr. Lars Lindkvist from Basecamp Foundation. For more information on the workshop contact Ms Tina Frisk on tina@basecampexplorer.com or register before 30 September 2008 at www.eco-storm.net .

Did you know?

• According to South African Tourism. South Africa recorded its highest number of foreign arrivals last year at 9,09 million, an 8,3% increase on 2006. This exceeded the global average of 6,6% and shifted South Africa from its 29th to 28th position in global tourism destination rankings. Growth in air arrivals (13,7%) was greater than in land arrivals (9%) during the year. The highest growth by market was recorded in Europe, followed by Asia and Australasia . For more details visit, http://www.fedhasa.co.za/Pages/News_Section_Details.asp?NewsSectionID=3&NewsID=1337.
• Namaqua National Park is situated in the world's only arid biodiversity hotspot. This park has experienced numerous growths of flowers, particularly the orange daisies and Gazanias. Other flowers beginning to show in this park are Conicosia (Varkiesknol) and Pelargoniums. For more information visit, http://www.sanparks.org/parks/namaqua/news/2008/flowers.php?PHPSESSID=db7e5q29t8to780gb6uk6s4id5.