Good tourism business and ethics are ‘green’
South Africa is a ‘carbon expensive’ destination for many visitors so the tourism industry in South Africa is applying itself to managing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint.
Some product owners are doing more to be environmentally responsible than others. So says Moeketsi Mosola, CEO of South African Tourism, at the launch of Tourism Month celebrations in Rustenberg in North West Province.
South African Tourism has supported numerous national initiatives to make South Africa a low carbon economy. These initiatives included the imminent launch of a Green Star grading mechanism for buildings and businesses; and the Indahlo Yethu campaign that was launched in 2006 by Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk.
Tourism Month’s theme this year is Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change. Numerous tourism businesses have already implemented sound environmental policies and operations. These include the installation of solar panels for power generation; fitting low energy lighting; insulating water pipes; recruiting staff and service providers from previously marginalised communities; replacing alien vegetation with indigenous trees and shrubs; and designing buildings to impact the environment as little as possible.
However, the Minister said that the industry needed to pay more heed to carbon emissions, become more environmentally conscious in its business practices and reduce the greenhouse effect in all operational areas. ‘We know that many international visitors are increasingly aware of environmental issues. There is a growing global trend to support businesses and services that demonstrate environmental responsibility. It makes good business sense, and it is a sound ethical and moral choice, to operate in an environmentally responsible way in this, and in any industry,†he said.
Mosola added that, South Africa was a long-haul destination for many of its estimated 9 million visitors each year and travel was a ‘carbon expensive’ activity. A round trip for one person from the UK to Johannesburg, for example, created about 1,500kgs of carbon dioxide. Ensuring that that their carbon footprint is minimized on arrival at their international destination will, increasingly, become a major factor motivating travel choices.
A Report By The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements