• Egypt
• Jordan
• Tanzania
• Kenya
• Mozambique
• Botswana
• Zambia
• Malawi
• South Africa
• Namibia

Cape Town Signs Responsible Tourism Charter

Cape Town has become the first city in South Africa to sign a Responsible Tourism Charter, establishing an active partnership between City Of Cape Town and tourism industry stakeholders. At a media briefing held on Monday 28th September 2009 at Greenways Hotel in Claremont, Cape Town the document was introduced by Theuns Vivian from the City Of Cape Town's tourism department. This was followed by two presentations. The first by hotel owner, Susanne Faussner-Ringer explained how the hotel managed its waste management and energy saving projects. The second presentation by CEO of the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Rashid Toefy, looked at the growing global trend known as sustainable tourism, and how South Africa must use this opportunity to position itself positively for the good of the people and the environment.

The city pledged its commitment to the principles of the responsible tourism charter and stated its intention to play a more supportive role to ensure long-term sustainable management in the industry. Mayor Dan Plato said that the charter is a work in progress, and that it should not be a document formulated with good intention but left to gather dust. The city is looking for an active co-operation with industry stakeholders to engage and progressively improve upon it to build a sustainable future for all.

Cape Town already has an environmental campaign known as 'Green Goal 2010' in place for the FIFA World Cup, and the Responsible Tourism Charter will reinforce the city's agenda to provide a balance of economic, social and environmental development through tourism. It is a major step forward to see local government acknowledge the economic potential of the tourism industry. The 2002 Cape Town Declaration is the foundation for the World Responsible Tourism Awards held each year at World Travel Market in London. The awards recognise best practice examples from all over the world, and so it is appropriate that Cape Town at last take ownership of this valuable legacy.

In closing Mayor Plato reiterated that all parties must work together so that the principles of the charter are applied, and endorsed the mission statement of the Cape Town International Convention Centre, 'Nurture Our World' - saying 'responsible tourism is everybody's business'.