Now in its fourth year, Responsible Tourism Week takes place from 13 – 17 February 2012. This year Cape Town joins the world in discussing responsible tourism around the chosen theme ‘A responsible approach to tourism is good for business’. Responsible Tourism Week is a week in which the tourism industry explores and brainstorms the practical application of sustainable tourism ideas such as cost-effective ways of reducing electricity use, buying locally made and fair-trade products for interiors and guest amenities, and supporting community development and conservation projects. During Responsible Tourism Week, tourism players aim to raise awareness around responsible travel concepts using cost effective and successful social media campaigns, as well as smaller local events that spark conversation.

Read more...

 Wilderness is both thrilled and humbled to be nominated as a finalist in the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2012. They have been nominated in the category Global Tourism Business for an unprecedented third time, following recognition in the 2007 and 2010 Awards. This category recognises best practice in sustainable tourism in businesses in any tourism sector that operate in multiple destinations. 

According to Andy Payne, Wilderness Group CEO, “We are really excited to be recognised in these prestigious awards and hope that our 4Cs sustainability platform and the strides we have made in sustainability reporting over the last two years will prove to be a genuinely positive contribution to sustainable tourism globally.”

Read more...

It’s green for go!  City Sightseeing Cape Town, the company that operates the unmistakable and well-known red double decker open-top buses has become the first bus company in South Africa to be certified carbon neutral. 

Being passionate about sustainable and responsible tourism, City Sightseeing continuously strive towards greener, more environmentally friendly practices and operate a fleet of continually upgraded, super-low emission buses that comply with all Euro standards for environmental impact.  In fact, City Sightseeing’s buses have consistently complied with Euro standards since 2006. City Sightseeing has also made great inroads into greening the rest of the business and has adopted all the latest available methodology and technology to reduce noise pollution as well as energy and water consumption.  The company also recycles all of their waste, which has in turn led to the creation of sustainable employment.

Read more...