Source: BusinessDay
September 13, 2011
Tourism Minister says an increasing number of tourists are inquiring about adherence to environmental and other standards before booking at accommodation establishments
An increasing number of tourists were inquiring about adherence to environmental and other standards before booking at accommodation establishments, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said yesterday.
"They want to make sure that the businesses they are supporting are not only not damaging the environment or neglecting the local communities they operate in, but in fact are making a positive contribution to these causes," said Mr van Schalkwyk, speaking at the launch of SA’s national minimum standard for responsible tourism initiative.
The initiative, set up under the guidance of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), seeks to formalise specific minimum requirements for the tourism industry to achieve sustainability in terms of cultural, environmental and economic criteria.
The Department of Tourism said the South African National Accreditation System would be ready to accredit certification agencies by the middle of next year. The principles of responsible tourism included avoiding waste and overconsumption, use of local resources in a sustainable manner, ensuring that locals benefit and are involved, and respect for the natural and cultural environments.
Environmental criteria include taking measures to minimise energy and water consumption, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, implementation of a waste management plan, limited use of harmful substances, and the use of indigenous plant species for landscaping while eliminating alien species.
Read more: BusinessDay - Van Schalkwyk launches sustainable tourism initiative
An increasing number of tourists were inquiring about adherence to environmental and other standards before booking at accommodation establishments, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said yesterday.
"They want to make sure that the businesses they are supporting are not only not damaging the environment or neglecting the local communities they operate in, but in fact are making a positive contribution to these causes," said Mr van Schalkwyk, speaking at the launch of SA’s national minimum standard for responsible tourism initiative.
The initiative, set up under the guidance of the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS), seeks to formalise specific minimum requirements for the tourism industry to achieve sustainability in terms of cultural, environmental and economic criteria.
The Department of Tourism said the South African National Accreditation System would be ready to accredit certification agencies by the middle of next year. The principles of responsible tourism included avoiding waste and overconsumption, use of local resources in a sustainable manner, ensuring that locals benefit and are involved, and respect for the natural and cultural environments.
Environmental criteria include taking measures to minimise energy and water consumption, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, implementation of a waste management plan, limited use of harmful substances, and the use of indigenous plant species for landscaping while eliminating alien species.
Read more: BusinessDay - Van Schalkwyk launches sustainable tourism initiative
