Greening & Resource Efficiency in Tourism Roadshow

A national roadshow encouraging more sustainable business practices in the tourism industry made its stop in uThungulu this month. The series of workshops across the country, hosted by the Department of Environmental affairs (DEA),  Department of Tourism (NDT), Department of Water Affairs (DWA)  and ESKOM are aiming at bringing "Green Issues" to the forefront of the tourism industry.

South Africa is rich in natural and cultural resources and tourism is dependent on these assets for its continued existence. The White Paper on Responsible Tourism requires the sector to promote  responsible tourism practices with a view to maximize economic, social and environmental benefits and  minimize costs to destination and as well as to improve local economies.

Participants at the roadshow were afforded an opportunity to learn more about resource saving measures and those who comply with the energy saving requirements will be incentivized. The focus of the roadshows will be on the Green Economy, Waste Management in Tourism, Water Conservation and Demand Management, Energy Efficiency in Tourism, Universal Accessibility and Climate Change.

Godfrey Nyakulalini, from DEA stressed that this is one of the many steps that government is following in ensuring that the "Green Tourism" legacy started during the 2010 FIFA World Cup continue to reap benefits for our country. Tourism is one of the worlds biggest contributors to Climate Change and for this reason National Tourism Plan for Climate change was developed. The action plan has four key outcomes:
1) Improve understanding of the vulnerability of the tourism industry in order to adapt to climate change
2) Reduce tourism related Greenhouse Gas emissions
3) Develop a fully informed tourism industry through consistent and effective industry outreach
4) Develop a nationally consistent, inclusive and cooperative approach to implementation"

but, added Godfrey, "It will take a fundamental change in society and the way society views environmental issues for this to be a success."

To read more on this initiative, click here