Spring greetings from the FTTSA team and welcome to the FTTSA August newsflash! Sustainable Tourism Network Southern Africa (STNSA)

Capacity Building Workshop
The Sustainable Tourism Network Southern Africa (STNSA) held a capacity building workshop on 23-24 August 2010 in Johannesburg. A total of seven certification schemes from South Africa, Botswana, Kenya and the Seychelles were present as well as representatives from the National Department of Tourism. It was a highly successful workshop where various issues surrounding accreditation by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), membership and board representation of the GSTC were discussed and consensus reached. Feedback will be sent to the GSTC and will be available on the FTTSA website in September.

Community-based tourism showcased at the South African Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC)
Four community-based projects funded by the National Development Agency (NDA) will be attending the annual South African Youth Travel Confederation (SAYTC) conference from the 7 - 9 September 2010. FTTSA will also be presenting on the benefits of Fair Trade and the opportunities it holds for the backpacking industry of South Africa. SAYTC is a non-profit, membership-driven organisation for the purpose of cooperatively marketing South Africa as the best international backpacking and adventure destination. FTTSA has been a proud member of SAYTC since 2007 and has a seat on the SAYTC Executive Committee as a co-opted member. For more information on the SAYTC conference or the SAYTC organisation, kindly visit SAYTC. To set up a meeting with the NDA projects at the SAYTC conference, please contact Khaya Thwala. Check out FTTSA and FTTSA-certified clients on the SAYTC website -- Click here

New faces at FTTSA!
FTTSA welcomes Roland Banya and Julia Kandzia to the FTTSA team:

Roland Banya is the new FTTSA Project Assistant. He previously worked with Business Unity South Africa as an Economic Researcher. He holds a Bsoc sci in Economics, University of Cape Town and an Msc in International Finance and Economic development from the University of Kent. "I am excited to be working with such a highly motivated and skilled staff towards the betterment of people's livelihoods in the region."

Julia Kandzia is the new FTTSA Project Intern. She will be in charge for the Child-Protection Code of Conduct ("the Code"). She holds a BA (Hons) in International Tourism Management from the University  of Brighton (UK) and has previously been volunteering for ECPAT Germany and various organisations in Guatemala. "I am very happy to be given the opportunity to contribute to the fair trade movement in South Africa's tourism industry and couldn't wait to get started! I am very much looking forward to my time here and thank FTTSA and the lovely team for their trust!" Click here to meet the rest of the FTTSA team.

FTTSA attends the Travel Trade Workshop (TTW), Montreux, Switzerland
From, 3 - 4 November 2010, FTTSA and some FTTSA-certified tourism businesses will attend the Travel Trade Workshop (TTW). The TTW is Switzerland's largest travel show and a popular item on the international travel calendar. FTTSA will be attending to promote FTTSA-certified tourism businesses and responsible tourism. Other FTTSA-certified tourism businesses attending are:

1. Marine Dynamics/Dyer Island Cruises
2. Madikwe Collection (Buffalo Ridge Safari Lodge , Thakadu River Camp , Tuningi Safari Lodge  )
3. Moratiwa Tours-Soweto Fair Tourism Tour
4. Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge
5. Leshiba Wilderness

FTTSA will be using the international stage of the TTW to cater for the increasing number of Swiss travellers that are aware of the social, cultural, economic and ecological impacts of tourism on development - a fact that can and should indeed no longer be ignored by Switzerland's traditional tour operators to South Africa. The South African Pavilion will be sponsored by the Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO) and the South African Embassy in Switzerland. SIPPO helps small and medium-sized companies in emerging markets and markets in transition to gain access to Swiss and EU markets and is carried out by Osec Business Network Switzerland since 2008.  For more information please visit the Travel Trade Workshop website.

Events

Natural and Organic Expo, Coca Cola Dome, Johannesburg, 27-29 Aug 2010
Now in its 7th year, the Natural & Organic Products Exhibition is the largest conscious consumer event hosted in South Africa. This event showcases a broad spectrum of new natural, chemical free and environmentally friendly products and services. Join fellow environmentally conscious consumers, business owners and industry experts as they come together to learn about, discuss and get involved in one of the fastest growing industries in the world today. See why a sustainable lifestyle is good for you, good for business and good for tomorrow. For information contact Jayne Muller or visit Natural and Organic Expo.

SA Tourism Industry Cocktail Evening, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Rosebank, Johannesburg, 14 September 2010
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), in partnership with South African Tourism will be hosting industry cocktail evenings, in celebration South Africa's successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

TBCSA will also use this opportunity to share with you:

• TBCSA's plans to grow and develop the sector in partnership with National Department of Tourism and other government departments;
• Feedback on the performance of the Tourism Marketing Levy South Africa (TOMSA) and
• SA Tourism's report on marketing and promotions activities pre and post the Soccer World Cup

• What has the impact of the World Cup been? How did the World Cup impact on the big companies?
• How did the World Cup impact on the smaller companies?
• Did South Africa handle the event well?
• Did transport work out for the World Cup?

• be publicly recognised and will meet government and industry leaders at the Awards ceremony which will take place at WTTC's 11th Global Travel & Tourism Summit, to be held from 17-19 May 2011 in Las Vegas, USA  receive outstanding, international media exposure thanks to WTTC's extensive media partnerships
• be endorsed by a panel of judges comprising internationally acclaimed experts in sustainable tourism
• be invited to submit case studies to be featured on WTTC's comprehensive Best Practice Gateway, the world's first online library of case studies for sustainable tourism across all sectors and regions of the world.
• The Call for Entries for the 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards will be launched on 27 September 2010. The Deadline for Entries will be 10 December 2010. Please contact Susan Kruegel for more information on how to apply.

• Promote the conservation and sustainable management of forests
• Contribute to a meaningful reduction in carbon emissions caused by deforestation and forest degradation
• Maintain forest ecosystems to improve resilience to climate change
• Support pro-poor development, especially among forest-dependent communities
• Conserve biodiversity and help secure ecosystem services

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