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On 13 June 2002, the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa certification programme was officially launched in South Africa, marking the first time in the history of the fair trade movement that a trademark or label for the tourism sector had been created. FTTSA awards the use of special label to qualifying businesses as a way of signifying their commitment to Fair Trade criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing, fair operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and environment.
By electing to stay at or use the services of an FTTSA-certified establishment, tourists are assured that their travel benefits local communities and economies, and that the business is operated ethically and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner.
This itinerary uses as many Fair Trade in Tourism in South Africa (FTTSA) accredited companies as possible. The FTTSA accreditation is based on fair share, democracy, respect, reliability, transparency and sustainability and is the first of its kind in tourism in the world.
Leshemba Wilderness (FTTSA accredited) established amongst others a social responsibility programme to preserve Venda traditions including wood carving, story telling and traditional healing. The lodge facilitated a community project between the Department of Science and Technology, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, and the local Kutama Community to grow indigenous aromatic plants for its oils. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s Hi Hanyile mosquito repellent project using a unique indigenous plant called Lippia which was discovered by traditional healers.
Shiluvari Lakeside Lodge (FTTSA accredited) most significant achievement is the establishment of the Ribolla Tourism Association in association with numerous artists in the local area, which collectively markets the area’s wide array of tourist attractions.
Umlani Bushcamp (FTTSA accredited) developed a Youth Leadership programme enticing historically disadvantaged learners to visit Umlani, where they gain insight into environmental issues and find out about eco-tourism career opportunities. Umlani has an exemplary staff HIV/Aids programme, featuring awareness workshops and 1-2-1 staff counselling, as well as staff medical care.
Mashatu Main Camp initiated an on-going research programme incorporating scientists into the operation to study aspects important to the protection & conservation of the area, including Central Limpopo Valley Elephant Research Project, Mashatu Predator Research Program, Mashatu Archaeological and Historical Project, and Botswana Cheetah Conservation Programme.
For all of our tours we provide customers with an itinerary specific responsible travel guide aprox 4 weeks before they depart. This includes a generic travellers code of conduct which emphasises basic responsible travel advice – e.g. reduction of waste and consumption of natural resources, purchase local produce where possible etc. Our holidays are specifically designed to bring guests into direct contact with locals from a range of different tribes and cultures across Africa. We also therefore provide destination specific guidance including advice on local customs and some key phrases in certain languages (e.g. Swahili). We also offer guidance on how to barter responsibly for local curios and what curios should be avoided (e.g. certain wildlife artefacts such as coral, turtle shells etc.). As all of our guides and groundhandlers are local we also give guidance on what a fair and reasonable level of tipping would be at the end of the holiday.
We support the work of Tourism Concern both in distributing their advice to customers and as an active participant in the Ethical Tour Operators Group. Our managing director sits on this group and is a regular attendee of meetings contributing to work towards developing industry wide fair trade standards. We also distribute materials to customers and make periodic donations for the following charities: Tree Aid; International Fund for Wildlife and Survival International Trust. In Southern Africa we support the Southern Africa Sustainable Seafood Initiative and forward their guidance to all customers on which seafood is sustainable when offered a choice at restaurants.
Whilst volunteering on a coral reef in Tanzania, the founder of this company fell in love with Africa. Using her academic background in environmental science, she decided to do something practical and help the continent develop a sustainable tourism portfolio. She developed holidays which combine the obvious itinerary highlights with more unusual experiences such as home stays and township visits. She believes that there are great benefits to travel: it is a chance to widen your horizons, learn about other people and see a bit more of the world than just that little place you call home.
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We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
