safari destination
Sustainable eco-tourismis becomingthe
driving force ininternationaltravel, andthiswave is currentlythehottopicin SouthAfrica.
Sustainabletourismpresentsa unique
challenge andopportunityforlocallodges
andhotels.Dr Johan and Annica van RensburgWE DEAL WITH TWO POTENTIAL
DILEMMAS:A My lodge/hotel is already built and cannot
berebuilt.B The mere fact that my lodge is situated
in the bush with a spectacular view with
or without game does NOT automatically
make it an eco-establishment.The minimum standards for eco-
establishments are already well
documented. The International Ecological
Society (TIES 1990) defines ecotourism as:
(a) Responsible tourism to natural areas
that
(b) conserves the environment and
(c) improves the wellbeing of local
people.(FRQRPLFEHQHÀWIURPHFRWRXULVPW
orldwide there are 1,8 billion
travellers and eco-tourism is
growing at more than double
the rate of conventional travel.
International surveys confirm this trend.
Condé Nast readers surveyed showed
93-96% of respondents commented that
travel companies should be responsible
for protecting the environment. International
TripAdvisor found that 71% of their clients
make more eco-friendly choices and Traveller
concluded that 46% of their travellers
are prepared to pay extra for responsible
destinations.
Eco-tourism is rapidly increasing worldwide,
but South Africa is still lacking behind.
If we do not wake up in time we will lose out
and other African and Asian destinations will
take over and reap the benefits. Not to mention
Australia, which has more than 600 eco-tour
operators with 30% of their travel already
being eco-tourism!
Planning a brand-new eco-lodge is relatively
straightforward, but the real challenge lies in
making our existing facilities eco-complaint
and thus remaining competitive. >>