Cape Town Rebuts World Cup Criticisms
Thursday, 20 Mar, 2010
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Holiday City answers accusations of overpricing, lax security, criminal activity and lack of access to tourists by small businesses.
Cape Town’s tourism industry stakeholders are united in their efforts to combat damaging international perceptions of SA as “an expensive destination”.
Cape Town Tourism formulated a Code of Responsible Pricing for Cape Town. The Code is endorsed and was signed on 16 March 2010 by representatives of the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Provincial Department of Economic Development and Tourism, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, FEDHASA (the Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa), SATSA (the South African Tourism Services Association), The Portfolio Collection, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, Backpackers South Africa and SAACI (the South African Association for the Conference Industry).
The Code has been created around four core principles:
- ‘Fair Value’ – fair and reasonable room rates.
- ‘Responsible Tourism’- a commitment to value and take care of Cape Town’s people, the planet and profit to the greater community.
- ‘Sustainable Tourism’ – in the interests of maintaining a legacy for Cape Town beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup
- ‘Consumer Protection’ – refraining from adding hidden costs and fees that surprise and annoy consumers when they receive their bill.
“The Code is an important charter,” says Cape Town Tourism spokesperson, Lianne Burton, “the industry is eager to ensure that Cape Town’s good reputation is not spoiled by greedy individuals out to capitalize on a few weeks at the expense of a responsible sector that has worked incredibly hard to put destination Cape Town on the top of every travellers wish-list.”
As far as security is concerned, Cape Town insists that everything is being done to ensure that the competition is safe and happy – “Security is always a priority for us. Cape Town Tourism has several programmes in place to ensure that the visitor is security-wise and protected. We are consistently in communication with all our members about educating their guests about security."
"For the most part, Cape Town is a safe, beautiful city but as with anywhere else in the world, there are some no-go zones. We are confident that the joint security powers invested in the 2010 FIFA World Cup will do a fantastic job of ensuring that fans and their families can have fun in safety.” Said Cape Town Tourism CEO. Mariette du Toit-Helmbold
“However … as you would in any other city, do observe some general safety tips:
- Avoid carrying large sums of cash. Try not to have expensive jewellery and cameras in plain sight, and don’t leave belongings unattended.
- Heed the advice of your hosts, Cape Town Tourism visitor centre staff or locals on places to avoid after dark. Don’t walk alone, and take care at isolated lookout points, especially at dusk or after dark.
- Do not allow strangers to assist you in any way at cash machines.
- At night, park in a secure, well-lit area.
- South Africans drive on the left, so look right, left and right again before crossing the street.
- Keep certified photocopies of all valuable documents in a safe place.”
Cape Town Tourism says it does not promote sex tourism (anything from voluntary adult prostitution to child sex trafficking.)
Cape Town Tourism has signed ‘The Code’ www.thecode.org which is an industry-driven responsible tourism initiative in collaboration with ECPAT (End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Traffic of Children for Sexual Purposes) International. ECPAT is funded by UNICEF and is supported by UNWTO. The signing of The Code is part of Cape Town Tourism’s Responsible Tourism programme.
The Code works to establish ethical policy re commercial exploitation of children and also to train the personnel in the country of origin and travel destinations. The Code aims to introduce a clause in contracts with suppliers, stating a common repudiation of commercial sexual exploitation of children.
Cape Town Tourism is developing information to give travellers through brochures and through awareness programmes and training of member organizations. The organisation is urging the hospitality industry to create a scenario response plan regards various potential situations that might suggest child exploitation.
Cape Town Tourism particularly encourages tourism staff to be vigilant and aware of suspicious behaviour. Hotels are encouraged to have protocol with regards denying access to rooms for visitors clearly in the company of a non-relative minor. Incidents should be reported to SAPS on 10111 and the Child Line on 0800 055 555
Cape Town Tourism also says its aim for the industry is to provide support and advice to businesses to help them to maximise their profitability and investment in the quality of the products and services. The objective is to provide a legacy for the World Cup by integrating existing small businesses in the accommodation and transport sector, into the official FIFA booking system. A further objective is to leave a legacy of improved quality and service excellence for tourism businesses, particularly small businesses. Give special support to small businesses to understand better the market needs and the best methods of marketing.
Cape Town Tourism is are taking a number of small business owners to Indaba 2010 to represent Cape Town on the Cape Town Tourism stand. The City of Cape Town has very clear objectives in place in terms of procurement for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and appointing contracts to small businesses.
There is an outstanding judicial enquiry as to South African airline price-fixing allegations and an outstanding audit (by PWC) as to hotels charges.
Valere Tjolle
Valere
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