Responsible Travel

The first International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was held in Cape Town in 2002 and resulted in the Cape Town Declaration. The definition of responsible tourism developed in this declaration is now used by many tourism businesses and organisations, including the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

In 2009 Cape Town won the award for most responsible destination in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards at the World Travel Market in London.

If you are looking for a city that is focused on economic, social and environmental responsibility, then Cape Town is the place. You will find numerous venues and suppliers that operate responsibly with the following characteristics of responsible tourism defined in the Cape Town Declaration:

• Minimises negative economic, environmental and social impacts;
• Generates greater economic benefits for local people, enhances the well-being of host communities, and improves working conditions and access to the industry;
• Makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage and to the maintenance of the world’s diversity;
• Provides more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people, and a greater understanding of local cultural, social and environmental issues;
• Provides access for physically challenged people;
• Is culturally sensitive, engenders respect between tourists and hosts and builds local pride and confidence.

The city developed a Smart Events Handbook to encourage event greening. The handbook provides guidelines on how to organise events in an environmentally and socially responsible way. It can be used for a range of events, such as meetings, conferences and exhibitions, and applies equally to large sports events and to small local community initiatives.

The Cape Town International Convention Centre considers responsible tourism to be of immense importance. It became the first convention centre in Africa to gain three ISO certifications, in September 2009. These include the ISO 14001 accreditation for sound environmental management. The centre also has a dedicated corporate social investment programme which supports eight charities in the surrounding community.

The CTICC is committed to working with conference and event organisers to ensure that delegates and guests also understand the need to minimise their impact on the environment and contribute to the development of local communities. A range of event packages are available and can be customised according to clients’ requirements.

The planned expansion of the CTICC includes sophisticated, environmentally responsive architectural features.

South Africa has a number of accreditations for tourism service providers who adhere to responsible social and environmental practices.

Fair Trade in Tourism accredits businesses that adhere to criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing, fair operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and environment.

Accredited providers in and around Cape Town include: Andulela, which provides excellent incentive trips; Dyer Island Cruises, which offers exciting and informative eco-tours; !Khwa Ttu, a San Education and Culture Centre offering conferences for up to 40 people; Uthando, which provides authentic introductions to the social problems confronting so many South Africans, and the innovative and inspirational ways in which these problems are being handled; and Soekershof, one of the world’s largest and most unusual mazes and gardens, dedicated to the preservation, culture, and display of cacti and other succulent plants. Find out more about Fair Trade accredited accommodation.

The Heritage Environmental Management Company provides an environmental management and rating accreditation designed to assist businesses to reduce and limit their environmental impact. Accredited venues in Cape Town include: Table Mountain Aerial Cableway, Two Oceans Aquarium, GrandWest Casino & Entertainment World, and The Commodore, PortsWood, Breakwater Lodge, Mount Nelson, Peninsula All-Suite, and Table Bay hotels.

GreenStaySA provides a four-level environmental grading system for the accommodation sector.

Cape Town Tourism includes basic social, environmental and economic criteria in its membership requirements for all accommodation providers and tour operators. This will soon be expanded to venues and organisers.

If you require more suggestions on responsible venues, accommodation, service providers and organisers, please contact Cape Town Tourism by emailing .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or calling +27 (0) 21 487 6800.