Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa to assess industry practices

Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) has announced plans for a unique workshop to train assessors to evaluate various tourism-related businesses’ commitment to fair trade practices.

The training of assessors marks the final step in the implementation of the FTTSA trademark which will act as a guarantee that a tourism business is fairly-traded and reliable. Both the trademark and workshop are the first of their kind in the world.

Jennifer Seif, national co-ordinator of the Pretoria-based organisation, says the move marks a milestone in the history of the Fair Trade movement and the South African tourism industry. “This workshop is the final step in a process that began over four years ago in South Africa,” she says. “The training will mark the beginning of the first practical effort to ensure fair trade in the tourism industry.”

FTTSA encourages fair tourism in South Africa by promoting established tourism businesses that demonstrate a commitment to economically responsible practices, such as ensuring fair wages and fair conditions for workers. At the same time FTTSA will provide small, enterprising community-based tourism business with the market visibility and support that is vital to their economic viability.

The assessors, drawn from throughout South Africa will be trained to determine if the business practices of various tourism enterprises reflect the six principles of FTTSA. These principles are Fair Share; Democracy; Respect for human rights, Culture and Environment; Reliability; Transparency; and Sustainability.

Once the training is complete the assessors will begin travelling around South Africa and conducting independent assessments of pre-screened applicants. “The whole point of this is to ensure that consumers are given a choice,” says Seif. “Now they will be able to consciously decide to use the services of reliable, fair and responsible tourism enterprises while they’re on holiday or business in South Africa.”

Businesses eligible for the trademark include bed and breakfast facilities, hotels, community-based tourism enterprises, game lodges, and tourist attractions. FTTSA has already received numerous enquiries from interested tourism businesses around the country. Seif says this is because once a business has been assessed, they benefit whether or not they receive the trademark. “If they don’t meet the high standards that we demand of our certified products, we still make sure they are made aware of their shortcomings and how to rectify them,” she says.

The implementation of the trademark follows a two-year pilot phase facilitated by IUCN South Africa. Training of the independent trademark assessors is scheduled to start in February of 2003 and will include practice assessments of a variety of tourism enterprises.

For more information contact:

Keith Gordon
Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa
Tel: +27(12) 322-2106
Fax: +27 (12) 320-2414
Email: [email protected]