Welcome to the first FTTSA newsflash of 2010!

Blow your vuvuzelas and celebrate with pride as South Africa gets ready for the biggest event in the history of South African tourism!

2010 Industry Survey on Responsible Tourism conducted by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA)

FTTSA is conducting a 2010 Industry Survey on Responsible Tourism. The purpose of the survey is to measure national industry awareness of Responsible Tourism certification in South Africa (including FTTSA). We are offering an incentive to all survey participants: a chance to win a case of fine South African Fair trade wine! The survey consists of 17 easy multiple choice questions, it only takes 3 minutes and the results will also be published on the FTTSA website at the end of February 2010. Please send to your friends and colleagues to complete and help FTTSA raise awareness of fair and Responsible Tourism in South Africa . Click the link to complete the survey: 2010 Industry Survey on Responsible Tourism

FTTSA certifies two new activities – the first tourism products from KwaZulu Natal

St Lucia Tours and Charters - Hippo Croc Tour and Whale Watching Tour are the first two KwaZulu-Natal-based tourism products to be FTTSA-certified. These two activities take place in the first UNESCO-proclaimed World Heritage Site in South Africa , iSimangaliso Wetland Park (formerly known as Greater St Lucia Wetland Park). Each tour is two hours in duration and offers something for every interest. St Lucia Tours and Charters operates one of the first boats in the area that switched over to new four-stroke engines, which comply with EPA standards - reducing pollution and the resultant impact that the Hippo Croc Tour and Whale Watching Tour have on the marine ecosystem.

In addition to making efforts to reduce their negative environmental impacts, St Lucia Tours and Charters has also designed its cruise boat (for the Hippo Croc Tour) to provide access for people who use wheelchairs. Furthermore, Danie Bennett, co-owner of St Lucia Tours and Charters, is involved in an international collaborative research programme studying the stock assembly of the Humpback whales as well as the collection of Humpback whale skin samples. The findings of both research activities are reported to the International Whaling Commission annually.

Please visit St Lucia Tours and Charters to have a whale-of-a time!

White Shark Projects contributes to social development

FTTSA-certified White Shark Projects announced the transfer of 25% ownership of White Shark Projects CC to new Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) partners referred to as White Shark Projects Employees Trust. This new transfer of ownership puts White Shark Projects CC firmly on the road to full BEE compliance. The White Shark Projects Employees Trust was set up by White Shark Projects in 2009 with the aim to provide assistance to previously disadvantaged employees at White Shark Projects CC and also provide the White Shark Projects Employees Trust with a sustainable source of income in order to fulfill its objectives.

Please click here to find out more information on White Shark Projects and the White Shark Projects Employees Trust.

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve wins the 2009 Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Awards

FTTSA-certified Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has once again won another Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Awards under the category for the Most Innovative Retreat in Africa for 2009 . In 2008 Grootbos won the Amarula Best Retreats in Africa Awards under the prestigious Heart of Africa Award, which honours the leading lodge in Africa that ensures that the people of the region benefit from tourism through job creation, empowerment and capacity building.

This luxury retreat has demonstrated a huge contribution towards the promotion of Responsible Tourism. Grootbos conserves 1700 hectares of pristine fynbos (with more than 650 indigenous species) . Grootbos is also home to a unique skills development project known as Green Futures, an annual training project for unemployed youth from nearby communities.

FTTSA salutes Grootbos for being innovative and for the continuous support in promoting Responsible Tourism.

For more information on Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, please click here.

Accredited Tourist Guide Training for Local Youth – A huge success!

On 27 November 2009, 19 tourist guides from the Western Cape were recognised for their achievements in completing their NQF2 tourist guide training. This training was part of the FTTSA-facilitated project, “Accredited tourist guide training for local youth”, funded by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF). The main objectives of this specific project were to provide targeted black youth with the necessary qualification and skills to operate as local tourist guides; to create a critical link between visitors and host communities; to ensure the protection of South Africa's natural heritage; to improve the quality of guided tours and overall visitor experience, with a focus on community and eco-tourism products; and to create a more enabling environment for eco-tourism development within rural and urban communities within South Africa.

Through this nationwide NLDTF-funded project, FTTSA has facilitated the training to 65 local black tourist guides to date. FTTSA would like to thank NLDTF for contributing funds towards skills development for the historically disadvantaged communities and to the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism for sponsoring the venue.

FTTSA partners with Cape Town Tourism to promote Responsible Tourism

FTTSA and Cape Town Tourism (CTT) have sealed a new partnership agreement for 2010. Both parties will implement a number of exciting projects and specific activities to promote the principles of Responsible Tourism in the City of Cape Town . CTT is committed to Responsible Tourism and aims to help its members to become highly competitive by applying best practice. In addition, CTT provides destination marketing and visitor services in Cape Town thereby providing services for the benefit of CTT members and the wider tourism industry. To find out more about Cape Town Tourism, click here.

As part of the agreement CTT have kindly offered to encourage its members to become FTTSA-certified. CTT will display FTTSA generic collateral and FTTSA-certified clients' collateral in a dedicated Responsible Tourism Section in the appropriate CTT Visitor Information Centres (VICs), subject to membership. In turn, FTTSA will encourage FTTSA-certified clients to become members of CTT or rejoin in light of this newly formed partnership.

The first 5 CTT members to qualify for FTTSA certification (new applicants only) in this membership year (01 September 09 – 31 August 2010) will receive a 30% discount on their annual user fee for the first year. FTTSA will also offer 10% discount on the FTTSA Sustainable Tourism workshop to CTT members until end of August 2010.

FTTSA looks forward to strengthening our partnership with CTT in 2010!

FTTSA welcomes Richelle Tieke

Richelle will be doing her 6 month marketing internship at FTTSA from January to July 2010. She is currently studying at the NHTV, University of Applied Sciences Breda in the Netherlands and is now in her third year of International Tourism Management and Consultancy. Richelle says: “I'm glad that I have the opportunity to work in South Africa and do my placement at FTTSA. To be part of a team that strives towards a sustainable environment and better working conditions in tourism gives me a lot of motivation”.

National Events

The Tourism, Sport & Mega Events International Summit , Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg , 24-26 February 2010

This conference will provide a forum to consider the impact of mega events - particularly sports, culture, exhibitions and entertainment - from a tourism perspective. It is highly relevant because of the positioning of such events in national development strategies. It is prompted by the growing numbers and effects of such events, at global and regional levels, the economic, social and environmental consequences for host nations and the massive multimedia opportunities for nation branding and export promotion. It is timely because of the proximity of such events as the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa , the World Exhibition in Shanghai China , the Winter Games in Canada and the Olympic Games in the UK . To register or for further information please contact, Thebe Exhibitions & Projects at lbeukes@deat.gov.za or visit Meetings Africa .

Colloquium on Mega-Event Sustainability, Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg , 24 February 2010

The colloquium on mega-events focuses on best practice in enhancing such sustainability for host countries' tourism systems. The Colloquium aims to tap into the experiences of international and South African organisers and researchers who have lived the conceptual and practical realities of mega-events. Speakers, panel members and colloquium attendees will unpack the dynamic found in:

•  disciplined political and industry leadership in cooperating and competing to host mega-events;

•  securing local support and people development in preparing for the mega-event;

•  the expectations of sport tourists at mega-sport events; and

•  leveraging business opportunities prior to, during and after the mega-event.

FTTSA Executive Director, Jennifer Seif, and FTTSA Research Assistant, Kate Finlay, will be presenting on “Mainstreaming children's rights and child protection within mega-event discourse and practice”.

World Holiday and Travel Fair, Coca-Cola Dome, Johannesburg , 16-18 April 2010

Proudly presented by International Banking at ABSA, the World Holiday and Travel Fair is the only international outbound travel exhibition in southern Africa that will give visitors the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of what is on offer in the wonderful world of travel both within Africa and around the world. The aim of the World Holiday and Travel Fair is to bring affordable travel to all South Africans and provide holiday choices for the whole family. Visitors will benefit from special deals, packages and discounts from over 200 exhibitors, while also having the chance to attend travel workshops and gain valuable insight and travel tips. For more information contact Glynis Anderson Branches at info@worldtravelfair.co.za.

International Events

2010 Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference and Mart in Kathmandu , Nepal , 1-5 February 2010

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will host the Adventure Travel and Responsible Tourism Conference. This conference is endorsed by The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Conference sessions include:      

•  Adventure Travel: Pulse of the Adventure Traveller           

•  Responsible Tourism: The Driving Force

•  Interactive Plenary Session: Adventure Sports Tourism – Risks and Responsibilities   

•  Interactive Plenary Session: Zero Waste Challenge

•  Closing Session: Responsible Tourism – Making Business Sense

To learn more and register, visit their website

The Second Annual 2010 Geotourism Summit , Washington , DC , 2 February 2010

This conference is hosted by National Geographic and Ashoka's Changemakers and will provide networking opportunities and useful tips for leaders and practitioners engaged in geotourism, sustainable development, and destination stewardship. Case study presentations will showcase the three winners and seven finalists of the 2009 Geotourism Challenge (best of 610 entries from 81 countries). To learn more and register, please visit Geotourism Summit 2010.

International Rainforest Tourism Conference, Palm Cove, Cairns , Australia , 22-24 June 2010

The aim of this conference is to provide a platform to bring together researchers interested in rainforest tourism to share ides and research findings. The conference will also provide an opportunity to share ideas with researchers who are involved with rainforest management and rainforest science. 

For more conference information contact Professor Bruce Prideaux at bruce.prideaux@jcu.edu.au .

Announcements

Southern African Tourism Update Marketing Index

Southern African Tourism Update, in conjunction with SATSA and Grant Thornton, are running a quarterly marketing index among tour operators locally and overseas to assist tourism marketers to identify important trends that will make their marketing spend more effective. From this survey, the marketers will be able to glean information on subjects such as:

•  The confidence and outlook for tourism business with Southern Africa

•  The current competitive situation our region faces in various geographic markets

•  Where our trade partners overseas expect the growth opportunities

The results will be released each quarter at a series of workshops aimed at people tasked with marketing the region's tourism products and services to the overseas trade. By taking part in this survey, operators will gain access to a FREE webinar that will be hosted on Friday, February 5 at 14h00.

If you are a tour operator please complete this survey by clicking here .

Did you know?

•  According to the latest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, in the last quarter of 2009, Africa experienced tourism growth by +5%,a robust performance, with sub-Saharan destinations doing particularly well. For more information, click here.

•  The world's first ever Fairtrade certified melons produced by a small growers' co-operative COODAP (Cooperative de Desenvolvimento Agro industrial Potiguar) from Mossoro in northern Brazil . The co-operative which has 20 members, is the first producer group to receive Fairtrade certification for melon production. For more information visit Fairtrade .