Developing National Standards for ‘Green’ Tourism
Discussions around the development of national standards commenced in March 2008, following extensive benchmarking and identification of local experts with active experience in grading and accrediting tourism-related establishments.
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), Sustainable Energy Africa (Team GreenStaySA), the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s School of Management Science and the Green Wilderness Foundation make up the Technical Steering Committee, thus contributing their combined industry expertise to the project.
Other organisations that have developed standards and criteria for green rating in the tourism industry are also invited to join the committee in a process that aims to harmonise all the different existing standards.
Also newly formed, the National Steering Committee comprises the TGCSA, InY, the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA), the South African Association of Travel Agents (SATSA), the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) and the Bed & Breakfast Association of South Africa (BABASA). Input towards the standards will also come from provincial environmental affairs representatives.
Initial Outlines for Standards Established
A recent meeting of all stakeholders established outlines for basic levels accreditation, roles and responsibilities, a road map and an official name for the standards. In an effort to achieve a broad-based definition encompassing a multitude of environmental, cultural and social issues, the term ‘National Responsible Tourism Minimum Standards’ (NRTMS) was unanimously adopted.
TGCSA CEO Thembe Kunene is delighted with the progress made so far: ‘DEAT is thrilled with the high level of commitment and support shown, and would like to extend its sincere gratitude to all the stakeholders,’ she says.
Next steps include the official announcement of the NRTMS by Minister van Schalkwyk at INDABA 2008, and the development of a standards framework by the technical steering committee.
A draft framework will be available for public comment in time for the launch of Tourism Month in September, with the final standards ready to be presented to the international travel and tourism industry at the World Tourism Organisation show in November 2008.
Visitors to INDABA can contact the TGCSA at their stand (ICCB014) for more information.
Links:
TGCSA: www.tourismgrading.co.za
Indalo Yethu: www.indaloyethu.co.za
DEAT: www.deat.gov.za
INDABA: www.indaba-southafrica.co.za
© TGCSA Logo courtesy and copyright of TGCSA
© Indalo Yethu logo courtesy and copyright of Indalo Yethu
Source: South African Tourism
