Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa

Welcome to Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA)'s March 2010 Newsflash.

In this month's edition we bring you an exciting account of our latest accomplishments.

Life is Peechy in Johannesburg
FTTSA welcomes The Peech Hotel; number 65 in FTTSA's growing collection of certified tourism businesses. This eco boutique hotel is centrally located in Melrose , close to Joburg's business districts such as Melrose Arch, Rosebank and Sandton.

The hotel demonstrates a great commitment towards operating in an environmentally responsible manner such as making use of only solar-water geysers for the entire property; offering guests and staff drinking water filtered on site and served in refillable glass bottles thereby reducing the use of plastic bottles. Rain and grey water from baths and showers is processed and recycled for use in the Peech's lush and leafy garden.

The Peech also has a long-standing and serious commitment to investment in its local community where it supports a charity known as Little Eden Childrens' Home. The hotel also donates relevant items (linen, crockery, etc.) to the charity and allows the staff of Little Eden to stay at the hotel as an incentive for top performance. In addition, The Peech Hotel gives preference to local and BEE-rated businesses and purchases Fair Trade products on a regular basis. Go to The Peech Hotel to learn more about this chic and eco-friendly hotel.

FTTSA participates in the International Research Colloquium on Mega-Event Sustainability
On 24 February 2010, FTTSA participated in the International Research Colloquium on Mega-Event Sustainability held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg . The Colloquium served as a side event to the International Summit on Tourism, Sport and Mega-Events. It focused strongly on the methods commonly used to calculate the costs and benefits of mega-events.

Economists, social scientists and practitioners evaluated the notion of mega-event legacy, concluding that intangible legacies such as civic awareness and investor confidence are equally if not more valuable than tangible ones. Even so, other than the presentation given by FTTSA, “Mainstreaming children's rights and child protection within mega-event discourse and practice”, the notion that mega-event legacy must go beyond economics did not extend to highlighting the need for the mitigation of risk to children and other vulnerable groups in society. It is imperative to address such topics in developing countries where discourse tends to focus on economic impact as opposed to social and even environmental issues. For a full report on the Research Colloquium, please click here .

FTTSA attends the CBI- EXPRO 87 Export Marketing & Management training in Rotterdam
From 2-7 March 2010, FTTSA's Marketing Manager, Lolla Meyer attended the EXPRO 87 training in Rotterdam, the Netherlands organised by the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from developing countries (CBI). CBI aims to assist companies from developing countries to gain entry or to enlarge their exports to the EU markets. Tourism is also an export product. The objective of the EXPRO 87 training was to prepare participants for a successful entry into European tourism markets. Through the training, participants became familiarised with the various EU tourism markets and export marketing, management and promotion techniques relevant to these markets. For more information on the EXPRO 87 training and other CBI programmes, please visit CBI.

FTTSA on stage at the 2010 Berlin ITB
On Friday 12 March, FTTSA's Project Manager, Katarina Mancama gave a presentation at an event hosted by EED-Tourism Watch at ITB. The event focused on various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives across the world, and throughout the tourism value chain. The FTTSA presentation gave an introduction to the FTTSA label, and benefits to tourism establishments were highlighted by Michael Lutzeyer, the FTTSA-certified tourism product owner of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve . Imagine Reisen (a small Swiss-based tour operator with specific focus on responsible tourism) described the benefits to tour operators when working with FTTSA-certified establishments. The presentation was well attended with representatives from various parts of the tourism industry, many of which expressed interest in finding out more about FTTSA and its certification programme.

FTTSA's 2010 plans to implement the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct in SA
FTTSA took part in the Annual General Meeting of the Tourism Child-Protection Code of Conduct ( www.thecode.org ) held on 13 March 2010 in Berlin , Germany . FTTSA has been involved with the Code for a number of years and has secured a mandate nationally and internationally to serve as the "local code representative" (LCR) for South Africa . This means that FTTSA will be responsible for assisting South African tourism and hospitality companies to sign the Code and implement its six criteria. At the 2010 AGM, FTTSA was elected to the Code international board of directors, for a three-year term, which underscores FTTSA's commitment to this initiative. Next month, FTTSA will launch a new project to institutionalize the Code in South African tourism in partnership with United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) and in collaboration with South African tourism stakeholders including leading companies and industry associations. More info to follow in next month's Newsflash, so watch this space!

SA Tourism Announces the semi-finalists for the 2009/2010 Welcome Awards
FTTSA is delighted to congratulate three FTTSA-certified establishments who have been nominated as semi-finalists for the 2009/2010 Welcome Awards for service excellence in travel and tourism by South African Tourism (SAT). The three FTTSA-certified semi-finalists are: The Cape Grace (Hotel Accommodation category) and The Backpack (Backpackers category) in the Western Cape and Stormsriver Adventures (Tourist Attraction category) based in the Eastern Cape . According to Hanneli Slabber, Global Manager of Product at South African Tourism, the Welcome Awards had a 55 percent growth in entry numbers across all categories. She believes that the quality of entries improves year on year. “We saw some superb businesses enter this year. This fills me with optimism for the future of travel and tourism in South Africa . Our industry rocks and the people who run it are rock stars” says Hanneli. Out of the 41 semi-finalists, an overall winner will be chosen per category to receive the 2009/2010 Welcome Award. All winners will be announced at South African Tourism's INDABA on 9 May 2010.

FTTSA joins forces with the Midlands Meander Association (MMA) in KwaZulu Natal
On 18-19 March 2010, FTTSA Executive Director, Jennifer Seif participated in a two-day road show convened by the Midlands Meander Association (MMA) to introduce Fair Trade to its extensive membership (200+ enterprises) of tourism and craft enterprises. MMA invited FTTSA to be part of this road show in order to introduce a new idea, that FTTSA certification (or for craft, there is the COFTA membership option) would be compulsory for all MMA members. MMA wants to ensure that its members are operating in a responsible manner and to position the Meander as a Fair Trade route/destination. FTTSA is proud to expand its certification initiatives throughout South Africa .

FTTSA bids farewell
FTTSA bids farewell to Sumayya Daya who has been with FTTSA for over a year working as the FTTSA Certification Assistant. “I had an amazing opportunity to learn from the FTTSA team” said Sumayya. FTTSA would like to thank her for her valued contribution and wish her all the best with her future endeavors.

Jennifer Seif elected to Board of Fairtrade Label South Africa
FTTSA Executive Director, Jennifer Seif, has been elected in her own capacity as Director for Board of Fairtrade Label South Africa . The election took place on 23 February 2010 at the Fairtrade Label South Africa 's Annual General Meeting. Other board members are: Lucy Welford from PhytoTrade Africa , Evan Smith, Independent Management Consultant and Boudewijn Goossen, Executive Director of Fairtrade South Africa . Fairtrade Label South Africa is a non-profit organisation, established in 2008. This Cape Town-based organisation is also an associate member of the Fairtrade Labelling Organizations International (FLO) . The aim of Fairtrade Label South Africa is to introduce and promote the international Fairtrade Label in South Africa . Since the end of 2008, a few South African companies have begun to use the Fairtrade label on their products. Labelled products available on the market include wine, coffee and rooibos tea. Fairtrade Label South Africa wishes to grow the number of products as well as to improve the availability to consumers. For more information on products carrying the Fairtrade label in South Africa , see below or visit Fairtrade Label South Africa .

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. For more information contact Glynis Anderson Branches at info@worldtravelfair.co.za.

Greening Existing Buildings, Atlantic Imbizo, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town , 19 April 2010
Join the Green Building Council of South Africa and expert trainers from Green Building Services in Oregon , US to learn more about greening and improving the performance of the buildings you own and manage. Registrations are done online and are taken on a first come first serve basis. To make a booking click here.

INDABA Trade Show, Albert Luthuli Convention Centre ( Durban ICC), 8-11 May 2010
INDABA is one of the largest tourism marketing events on the African tourism industry calendar and one of the top three ‘must visit' events of its kind in the world. It showcases the widest variety of Southern Africa 's best tourism products and attracts international visitors and media from across the world. INDABA is owned by South African Tourism and organised by Kagiso Exhibitions and Events. FTTSA will be exhibiting at this year's INDABA to raise awareness about FTTSA, FTTSA-certified products and responsible tourism in South Africa .

This year FTTSA's presence will be bigger than ever! To meet with the FTTSA team or set-up an appointment, please contact the FTTSA team or visit stand number DECD 020. For more information on the INDABA Trade Travel Show please visit INDABA .

International Conference on Sustainable Tourism: Issues, Debates & Challenges, Crete & Santorini , Greece 22-25 April, 2010
Following the success of the two international conferences on culture, events and tourism, a third international conference will be held in Anissaras-Hersonissos, 25 km from the beautiful coastal city of Heraklion , Crete . The conference will be hosted by TEI Heraklion, Crete and the School of Sport , Leisure and Travel, Buckinghamshire New University , UK . The aim of the conference is to provide a forum for academics, emerging researchers, policy-makers, industry practitioners, and destination management and marketing professionals to discuss and debate key issues in the development and management of sustainable tourism in an era of climate change. For more information, click here.

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 .

Nominations for the 6th Annual Kudu Awards are now open!
The Kudu Awards organised by the South African National Parks (SANParks) are now open. SANParks encourages all SANParks stakeholders to nominate individuals, groups or companies they feel have made a significant contribution towards conservation in the categories available. The awards are divided into four different categories:

The Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award – this category recognizes organizations/companies/persons that have made significant contributions to conservation, whether through the awarding of land, funds, human resources or have entered into a business relationship with SANParks.
The Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation – this award is presented to conservation/environmental journalists/media entities that have conducted their reporting in a socially responsible manner and have also given extensive and balanced reporting on conservation related matters.
The Community Contribution to Conservation – this award is given to an individual/group/project that has advanced the cause of sustainable conservation of biodiversity and cultural heritage.
The Environmental Education/Capacity Building Award – this award is given to an educator/group of educators who have contributed to educational programmes that further the conservation of our biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Please submit nominations of individuals, groups or companies involved in conservation within the above categories for the Kudu Award by Friday, 30 April 2010 . For more information visit SANParks or contact Itshekeng Mokone on 012 426 5058/e-mail: itshekengm@sanparks.org or Reynold Thakhuli on 012 426 5203 or email reyt@sanparks.org" .