In this tourism month (September), FTTSA brings you exciting updates and exciting news!
http://www.fttsacertification.org.za/
Tourist Guide training a success!
Due to the generous sponsorship by the National Lotteries Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF), Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) is proud to announce the training of 19 new tour guides offered by Tourist Guide Training provider Energy Guides to service the Midlands region. 13 Leearners successfully completed the course. Working closely together with Zulu Mpophomeni Tourism Experience (ZMTE) and the Midlands Meander Association (MMA), candidates were carefully selected for their current involvement in the tourism industry and their determination to move up to the next level. The fully accredited NQF Level 2 Site Guide Training covered subjects such as Code of Conduct and Ethics, The Role of the Tour Operator, Government, Provincial, Regional involvement and how it all fits together, an overview of the tourism industry, First Aid, Health and Safety, practical orientation tours, places of interest, the history and culture of the Midlands region as well as most importantly - how to create a guided tour and communicate with visitors.
“We, at FTTSA, greatly appreciate the opportunity afforded to us by the NLDTF to continue to play our role in transforming South Africa 's growing tourism sector. Providing opportunities for new entrants including tourist guides is a critical part of transformation, and we congratulate the learners for their successful completion of the course, and wish them every success in the future” states Netsai Sibanda, FTTSA Executive Assistant. FTTSA is currently working on a new grant funding to train 70 tour guides in South Africa , more information to follow.
Community based tourism businesses showcased at the 2010 Getaway Show!
In a unique partnership between Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) and the National Development Agency (NDA), 6 community based tourism businesses were showcased at the 2010 Getaway Show from 10-12 September at the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg . The Getaway Show is an informative and interactive experience of everything the Getaway brand epitomises - beautiful and unusual destinations, affordable accommodation. The show provided an opportunity for the project beneficiaries to showcase their unique businesses to 22 179 visitors. The six project beneficiaries that were showcased at the Getaway Show:
• Pondoland Hiking Trail & Lodges
• Mothers of Creation Rural Homestay Route
• Kwam eMakana Homestays
• Bulungula Lodge (FTTSA-certified)
• Coffee Shack Backpackers (FTTSA-certified)
• Masakala Guesthouse and Mehloding Adventure Trail and Chalets (FTTSA-certified)
FTTSA attends the Getaway Conference
Getaway magazine held their inaugural tourism conference at the Coca Cola Dome in Johannesburg on 10 September 2010. The conference was made possible by Cape Town tourism. It was addressed by a very experienced caliber of speakers such as Damian Cook (E-tourism frontiers), Lindiwe Khele (Joburg Tourism), William Price (South African Tourism), Alan Vels (Life Hotels), Jennifer Seif (FTTSA) and Mariette du-Toit Helmbold (Cape Town Tourism). The various speakers touched on issues as diverse as brand creation, use of the internet, lessons learnt from the World Cup and the role of responsible tourism. On a whole it was a great learning experience for stakeholders in the industry.
White Shark Projects' little Shoppe with a big mission
A FTTSA certified tourism business, White Shark Projets has opened a branch of The Little Shoppe in Kleinbaai! This is an exciting extension of their efforts to promote sustainable tourism in the area. Set in the harbour, the shop sells only locally produced products and is a vibrant place for clients and artists to come together. Everything is handmade and everything has a story to tell - either that of the artist or the materials used. The Little Shoppe is in a Closed Corporation with a 67% black ownership. To support this great initiative or to find out more information, email wsp@whitesharkprojects.co.za .
FTTSA bids farewell!
FTTSA bids farewell to Naledi Nkula, she has been serving as an independent FTTSA panel member since November 2008. Naledi Nkula is the Director of Tourism Business Development at the National Department of Tourism (NDT). FTTSA would like to thank her for her positive contributions throughout these years and wish her all the best with her future endeavors.
Pick n Pay South Africa Supports Fairtrade!
South Africa 's leading supermarket, Pick 'n Pay, has officially announced its commitment to Fairtrade along with its assurance to stock Fairtrade products as they become available locally. Fairtrade is the leading international certification system for sustainable production and poverty reduction in the agricultural sector. Fairtrade provides social, economic and environmental standards that are specifically dedicated to the empowerment of small farmers and farm workers whilst regulating production in a sustainable and environmentally sound way. For every Fairtrade product sold, part of the profits goes back to the farming communities, who use this added income for social projects or to invest in small-scale farming.
It is estimated that in 2009, more than 16,000 small farmers and farm workers benefited directly from Fairtrade in South Africa alone. Research shows that the Premium derived from Fairtrade sales was spent predominantly in the areas of education and training (26%) and infrastructure improvement (23%). South Africa is one of the largest Fairtrade-producing countries in the world, supplying everything from fruits and vegetables, wine and coffee to rooibos tea, herbs, spices and nuts.
For more information on the Fairtrade products, please contact Arianna Baldo, Marketing and Promotions Coordinator, arianna@fairtrade.org.za or call +27 (0) 21 448 8911.
National Events
Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA), Sandton Sun Hotel, Johannesburg , 31 October - 2 November 2010
The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) is pleased to announce the 4th edition of the Hospitality Investment Conference Africa (HICA). HICA offers three days of business-generating networking opportunities with participating local and international captains of the tourism industry. The conference program explores investment opportunities in the African context, challenges the sector faces and reviews international trends and best practice. For more information contact, Zelda Coetzer at zelda@imfunzelelo.co.za. or +27(0) 21 761 3382, alternatively visit HICA.
2010 International Tourism Conference on Global Sustainable Tourism, Mbombela , Mpumalanga , 15-19 November 2010
Mbombela Local Municipality and the Tshwane University of Technology's Department of Tourism Management are pleased to announce the 2010 International Tourism Conference on Global Sustainable Tourism. The aim of the conference is to provide tourism scholars, practitioners, and other stakeholders with an opportunity to explore and debate issues relating to sustainable practices in tourism. For more information, visit Global Sustainable Tourism.
International Events
Annual Baltic and Nordic Roadshow, 25-29 October 2010
SW Africa Destination Management is set to host its annual Baltic and Nordic Roadshow from 25-29 October 2010. The road show will allow Southern African tourism suppliers to exhibit their products to potential clients in Copenhagen , Oslo , Gothenburg, Stockholm and Riga ( Latvia ). Those interested in attending this road show should contact Henk Graaff at henk@swafrica.co.za .
World Travel Market, ExCel, London , 8 -11 November 2010
World Travel Market (WTM) is an annual London-based must attend four-day business to business event. This event showcases a diverse range of destinations and industry sectors to UK and International travel professionals. It is a unique opportunity for the whole global travel trade market to meet, network, negotiate and conduct business under one roof. By attending WTM, participants efficiently, effectively and productively gain immediate competitive advantage for their business and stay abreast with the latest developments in the travel industry.
FTTSA and FTTSA-certified businesses will be featured in a dossier on Responsible Tourism being put together by South African Tourism office in London which will be distributed to the media and trade industry at the World Travel Market to tie in with the WTM World Responsible Tourism Day on 10 November 2010. FTTSA will keep you posted and send you a copy! For more information, please visit World Travel Market website.
Announcements
Nominations Now Open for 2011 United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Sasakawa Prize
Nominations for the UNEP Sasakawa Prize 2011 are now open with the theme “ Forest for People, Forests for Green Growth”, in support of 2011 as the International Year of the Forests.
The winner will receive $200,000 cash prize at an Award Ceremony and Reception to be held in February 2011, in Nairobi , Kenya .
UNEP is looking to recognize and reward the project that has the most significant socio-environmental impact as framed by the theme, such as projects that:
- 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
Nominations will be accepted until 30 September 2010 . For more information click here.
Calls for entries for 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is inviting tourism businesses and destinations worldwide to apply for the 2011 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. Applicants may enter in one of four categories: Global Tourism Business, Conservation, Community Benefit and Destination Stewardship, showcasing best practice in sustainable tourism. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are organised in association with Travelport and the Travel Corporation's Conservation Foundation. Applications may be submitted online on Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. The deadline for applications is 10 December 2010 . For further media information, please contact: Elliott Frisby, Communications Director, +44 (0) 2074818007, +44 (0) 7891 937931, elliott.frisby@wttc.org
Did you know?
- South Africa received an increase in tourists arrivals for June 2010 from both land and sea markets by 42, 7% from 505 341 in 2009 to 721 311 in 2010, of the total arrivals, overseas arrivals constituted 277 345 people in June 2010, a 118, 6% increase on June 2009's 126 857. For more information, please visit Tourism Update.
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