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.
The public can participate by joining the conversation online, at work, or with friends. Write a blog post, share your thoughts on Facebook, make a video and post it to YouTube, or Tweet with the hashtag #rtweek2012.
Throughout the week, the Responsible Cape Town website will feature guest blogs and news about how responsible tourism is working for local tourism businesses as well as international organisations. Many of Cape Town’s tourism businesses have embraced Responsible Tourism as one of their key drivers. Responsible Tourism week gives the tourism industry the opportunity to share international best practice through social media and online communications, demonstrating in a very practical way how environmental and social responsibility makes good business sense.
“The perception of responsible tourism is slowly but surely changing. Even though the industry still has lots to learn about the great impact travelling responsibly can have on the destination – the environment, economy and its people – the awareness has risen. Responsible tourism can be pursued by any tourism business without having to compromise on comfort levels of guests,” said the City’s Director of Tourism, Nombulelo Mkefa.
The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Tourism, Events and Marketing, Councillor Grant Pascoe says that Responsible Tourism Week is a key event in the City’s Responsible Tourism Programme.
“Whilst we recognise that tourism is a key economic driver, the City of Cape Town is acutely aware that responsible tourism is crucial for building a more sustainable and inclusive city for both residents and visitors. Responsible tourism asks us to consider the long-term. We fully support Responsible Tourism Week, which we hope will spark much debate around different ideas, methods and design to create solutions for the challenges we face,” said Councillor Pascoe.
