Ecotourism in south africa tourism is big business. The growth in naturebased tourism numbers led to an increase in pressure on the environment. Against this background of social marginalisation, material deprivation and. Besides the 2030 agenda, african countries have committed to implement the african union agenda 2063, which is both a vision and a plan to build a more prosperous africa in 50 years. Responsible tourism in the hospitality industry and a year later, with the introduction of the fair trade in tourism south africa trademark. Even though ecotourism lacks a concrete definition, there are many wellrecognized definitions. White paper on the development and promotion of tourism confirmed south africas approach to tourism as one which is government led, private sector driven and community based, and grounded in cooperation and close partnerships between all stakeholders. Sustainable human settlement development the challenge for.
Thankfully, that is changing thanks to a collective realisation that our spectacular habitats and abundant flora and fauna are the country and continents most precious resources. South africa enjoys a positive tourism trade balance with the rest of the world. Practical strategies for propoor tourism, wilderness safaris south africa. Climate change and tourism are symbolically twosides of a coin. National responsible tourism development guidelines for south africa march 2002 1. Strategies for the new millennium to the important issues of sustainable tourism in africa. Many thanks to jennifer seif fair trade in tourism south africa for her editing. A legal framework for sustainable tourism development in areas affected by natural and manmade disasters in south africa prof. Responsible tourism manual for south africa kruger to canyons. This is the first edition of the responsible tourism manual for south africa. However, the trade balance surplus has narrowed since 2016. Enterprise development programme 72 kenya, tanzania and uganda. Ii the sustainable development of tourism in africa penelope urquhart encyclopedia of life support systems eolss by the particularities of the tourism trade.
Of equal importance is the fact that south africa is no. Small to medium tourism enterprises smtes promoting local economic development in hogsback, eastern cape, south africa mxunyelwa, s. Ecotourism can provide a superior and sustainable alternative to traditional, resource dependent industries that are prevalent. Targeted support to the tourism sector is essential in ensuring its contribution to the promotion of decent work in the rural economy, and requires the implementation of multifaceted interventions. World tourism organization, 2004 now known as the unwto responsible tourism. Ecotourism has been advanced as a form of sustainable tourism that is expected to boost conservation and development in the rural communities of southern. The sustainability of development the roots of the concept of sustainable development can be traced back to the writings of mary wollstonecraft a vin. Potential of cultural attractions as counterbalance andor enrichment of the excessively promoted safari programmes 74 africa. A presentation made at the southern african sustainable tourism alliance meeting, in durban, south africa in may 2014. Guidelines will be pro vided on how these concerns should be addressed and the issues to be con sidered to ensure sustainable.
The positive and negative impacts of ecotourism on african. Researched, produced and written by anna spenceley, piers relly, heidi keyser, paul warmeant, margaret mckenzie, aphista mataboge, peter norton, sipho mahlangu and jennifer. We grow awareness about responsible tourism in africa and assist tourism businesses to operate more sustainably. United nations economic commission for africa fiscal policy for financing sustainable development in africa d ordering information to order copies of this report, please contact. Icec2012 30 sustainable human settlement development the challenge for housing delivery in south africa greyling, c and verster, j. Pdf sustainable tourism development challenges in the. The sustainable development of tourism in africa penelope urquhart south africa keywords. Nov 05, 2018 to meet its stated goals, it must direct its profits towards local communities. The world tourism organization unwto is a specialized agency of the united nations. Sep 28, 2015 sustainable tourism in south africa posted on september 28, 2015 by admin travel is the most shared experience on social media and with close to million active facebook users in south africa, there is great potential for destination marketers to promote sustainability projects through storytelling online. While ecotourism and sustainable tourism are recognized as an important, growing tourism segment, primary.
The tourism industry is a major contributor to the south african economy and employment of citizens. In south africa, for example, tourism and agriculture were. The role of sustainable tourism in poverty alleviation in. Guidelines as well as a manual for responsible tourism were designed by deat during 2002 as. Climate change, tourism, economic growth, sustainable. What this means is that nonresident visitors spend more money in our country than south african travellers spend abroad. The sector contributes about 9% to the countrys gross. The case studies have all been published separately as seven propoor tourism working papers the experience of two community tourism associations nacobta and ucota in namibia and uganda is covered in two reports.
Tourists perceptions of tourism impacts on the environment. While climate change portends serious threats to ecosystems and biodiversity the worlds foremost tourism assets, environmental impacts associated with tourism related activities. Sustainable development goals sdgs statistics south africa. Routledge informa ltd registered in england and wales. Sustainable tourism development challenges in the eastern cape province, south africa. Responsible tourism manual for south africa 1 developed for the department of environmental affairs and tourism. This report analyses the challenges of sustainable development in the specific context of south africa. In 2012, the theme for world tourism day was tourism and sustainable energy. The chapter will close with a discussion of the various aspects of sustainable tourism by analysing the impacts of tourism on the economic, sociocultural and natural environments. Tourism south africa yearbook 201516 405 tourism south africa yearbook 201516 406 tourism remains a key driver of south africas national economy and contributes to job creation. In south africa, poverty engendered by the apartheid regime has long been part of the fabric of the economy.
The africa tourism monitor report 2014 70 south africa. Agritourism south africa npo 175957 promotes tourism that is. Agritourism south africa promotes tourism that is economically sustainable, socially equitable, environmentally friendly and culturally authentically south african. Il ngwesi community trust, kenya is constructed with local materials, profits directly support local communities and is one example of successful community based tourism. This would require the sector to monitor technological trends and.
Responsible tourism essentially promotes principles that emphasise accountability to. Department of quantity surveying and construction management, university of the. Transportation carbon footprint drive as opposed to fly e. The unesco world heritage and sustainable tourism programme represents a new approach based on dialogue and stakeholder cooperation where planning for tourism and heritage management is integrated at a destination level, the natural and cultural assets are valued and protected, and appropriate tourism. Thus, assessing the contribution of tourism to economic growth and sustainable development in south africa is at the heart of the investigation in this article. A legal framework for sustainable tourism development in.
As investigating the variables that encourage the transformation to socially and environmentally responsible tourism on a more general level would require much more time and resources, south africa was chosen as a case study. Development of responsible tourism guidelines for south africa. Sustainable tourism concepts 6 module 1 population of about 45,000. Activities on the day focused on the importance of making tourism more sustainable to preserve natural resources for future generations. This becomes necessary in view of the counteracting scenarios as highlighted.
Bestpractice responsible tourism fair trade tourism is a nonprofit organisation promoting bestpractice responsible tourism in africa. The tour operators initiative for sustainable tourism development toi. The 2030 agenda for sustainable development acknowledges the importance of the au agenda 2063 and considers it an integral part of it. South africa was chosen as a case study as it is a developing country, where tourism is playing an important part in the social and economic development, and the. The main aim of the conference was to identify innovative and creative strategies for the development, promotion and marketing of culturebased tourism in africa in the new millennium. South africa and zimbabwe in the south, and cote divoire and senegal in the west, the socalled african success stories, have a well established tourism. Achieving sustainable development and promoting development cooperation dialogues at the ecosoc iii desa the department of economic and social affairs of the united nations secretariat is. Sustainable tourism africa is the fastest growing tourist destination in the world. According to the 1996 white paper on the development and promotion of tourism in south africa, responsible tourism was described as an absolute necessity if south africa is to emerge as a successful international competitor. The white paper foresightedly proposed to develop and manage the tourism industry in a responsible and sustainable manner in order that the south african. Strategies for the new millennium in mombasa, kenya, december 2000. Tourism growth travel indaba entity tourism in the provinces top10 reasons to visit south africa travellers guide tourism has an important role to play in placing the south african economy on a sustainable inclusive growth trajectory. Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.
There has been a tremendous growth in the naturebased tourism industry during the past decade, but this growth has not come without problems. The importance of tourism smes for sustainable tourism development in africa 77. It is crucial that south africa implements these strategies in a sustainable manner that will enable south africa to grow in a more equitable and inclusive manner that supports its developmental agenda. Challenges and barriers to sustainable tourism in southern africa. Sustainable wine tourism and vineyards environmental consciousness in thailand mitchell amarando. The theory and practice of ecotourism in southern africa videa. It is crucial that south africa implements these strategies in a sustainable manner that will enable south africa to grow in a more equitable and inclusive. This study examines ecotourism as a form of sustainable development in the eastern cape of south africa. Secondly, south african national minimum standard for responsible tourism sans 1162, launched in september 2011, is a detailed set of requirements aimed at establishing a common understanding about responsible tourism, and a basis for the harmonisation of tourism sustainability certification in south africa. The need to support sustainable tourism activities and relevant capacity building that promote environmental awareness, conserve and protect the environment, respect wildlife, flora, biodiversity, ecosystems and cultural diversity, and improve the welfare and livelihoods of local communities. I, nicolette glen, herewith declare that this research, titled sustainable tourism implementation for small accommodation establishments in south africa, was conducted within south africa and was supervised by professor kevin mearns of the university of south africa unisa.
The department of environmental affairs and tourism deat intend that the contents of the manual will be updated and improved continuously, to render it user friendly and relevant to sector trends and developments. Hdr south africa 2003 the challenge of sustainable. To meet its stated goals, it must direct its profits towards local communities. Sep 28, 2012 in 2012, the theme for world tourism day was tourism and sustainable energy. Tourism south africa yearbook 201516 405 tourism south africa yearbook 201516 406 tourism remains a key driver of south africa s national economy and contributes to job creation. Even though south africas own development plan precedes the sdgs, the aspirations articulated in the sdgs resonate with those found in our national development plan ndp. As a nation, south africa is undoubtedly behind the curve in terms of environmentally sustainable tourism. Africas priorities for sustainable development africa renewal. The third section is related to south african guidelines for sustainable tourism. South africa was chosen as a case study as it is a developing country, where tourism is playing an important part in the social and economic development, and the new sustainable. The presentation summarised findings of a study undertaken for the global partnership on sustainable tourism, through unep and supported by giz. On the one hand it is a relatively large country with a low population density, abundant natural resources, a well developed.
In south africa, september is designated as tourism month. South african tourism industry from traditional tourism to more socially and environmentally responsible tourism. Sustainable development goals undp in south africa. The following section outlines sustainability theory and how this has progressed over the last four decades. Sustainable tourism in kenya learn what the travel foundation is working with local communities. A balance must be struck between embracing innovation and maintaining a sense of sustainability. On a more positive note, ecotourism does raise awareness as tour operators are motivated to create sustainable trips and help preserve the wildlife and environment. Sustainable tourism in south africa posted on september 28, 2015 by admin travel is the most shared experience on social media and with close to million active facebook users in south africa, there is great potential for destination marketers to promote sustainability projects through storytelling online. Todays south africa still harbours social and environmental troubles, but change is happening and as a tourist here you can play a big role in that. South africa ranks as the first tourist destination in subsaharan africa. Visit these ecotourism destinations in south africa for incredible beauty, biodiversity and tourism that supports both the earth and local communities. To achieve sustainable tourism without negative impacts, tourist density should be constrained. Grootbos private nature reserve and lodge, south africa. Ecotourism itself is meant to be a sustainable form of natural resourcebased tourism.
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