South Africa: Fair Trade Tourism certifies Iketla Lodge in Limpopo!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Iketla Lodge in Limpopo to its portfolio of tourism businesses in South Africa. The four-star lodge, which accommodates just 16 people, is situated in the middle of a 540 hectare private nature conservancy on the Panorama Route, approximately 30 minutes' drive from the famous Blyde River Canyon. Iketla Lodge is home to more than 200 different bird species and numerous migratory species of wildlife.Iketla Lodge is owner-run and was purpose built to minimize its impact on the natural environment. Five of the eight chalets were built on the edge of a rise and offer secluded look-out points into the valley. Each chalet has an en-suite bathroom with stone-built indoor shower and open-air outdoor shower.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies Cascade Country Manor in the Cape Winelands!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Cascade Country Manor to its portfolio of tourism businesses in South Africa. Once the South African home of the 12th Duke of Bedford, this 4-star establishment is located outside Paarl in the Cape Winelands with the Klein Drakenstein mountains as its backcloth. Cascade Country Manor has 15 rooms and offers a range of activities including abseiling, mountain biking, hiking and wine-tasting tours. The boutique hotel is also a spa and wellness centre. The neighbouring olive farm ("Buffet Olives") is South Africa's biggest table olive producer and a tour of the factory can always be arranged on request.Cascade Country Manor has had an enduring commitment to sustainability and is invested in the local communities of Paarl. The management team apply strict environmental disciplines, including waste and water recycling initiatives, and reduce energy consumption as far as possible. Fresh produce is grown on the property with the ultimate aim of supplying all fresh produce needs from the garden.

South Africa: Two new certifications for Fair Trade Tourism!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Parker Cottage B&B and the Oyster Bay Lodge establishments to its portfolio of tourism businesses in South Africa.Parker Cottage B&B, the fifth establishment in Cape Town to become Fair Trade Tourism certified, is located in Tamboerskloof. The bed & breakfast offers co-finance for the education of staff members, provides hands-on support to social upliftment and educational programmes, sources products and services from local entrepreneurs, and runs its business to ensure minimal impact on the environment.
The Oyster Bay Lodge is located in 235ha coastal reserve close to St Francis Bay in the Eastern Cape. Spanning a range of different biomes from beaches and sand dunes to forests, wetlands and lagoons, the reserve boasts extensive birdlife and is home to 20 free-roaming horses. The four-star Oyster Bay Lodge not only maintains this biodiverse environment, but also has invested in energy saving initiatives and provides financial, infrastructural and practical support to projects in the local township of Umzamowethu.

South Africa: Eastern Cape game reserve joins Fair Trade Tourism's portfolio!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Shamwari Game Reserve to its portfolio of South African tourism businesses. The Reserve, which is located 75 km outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, has marked its 25th anniversary this year by achieving Fair Trade Tourism certification for all eight of its tourism products. 

Set on 25,000ha of reclaimed farmland, the Shamwari Game Reserve is renowned for its wildlife conservation initiatives and commitment to surrounding communities. In addition to offering a classic wildlife experience, the reserve incorporates the Ian Player Rhino Centre, the Born Free Big Cat Sanctuary and its own Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre with a team of veterinarians on hand. Shamwari Game Reserve is home to the Big 5 and is malaria free. Luxury accommodation is offered in 7 different lodges, all of which are 5 Star graded.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies the Naara Eco Lodge in Mozambique!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Naara Eco Lodge in Mozambique to the family of FTT-certified businesses. The Lodge, located  located on the Nhambavale Lake in the village of Chidenguele, some 260km north of the capital of Maputo, offers 10 Luxury Safari Tents which are surrounded by the African indigenous bush and overlook the calm waters of the Nhambavale Lake as well as and the Natura Wellness Centre – a luxurious spa in a secluded forest alongside the dunes.
Naara Eco Lodge prides itself on its involvement in the local Inhandime community and the initiatives it is undertaking, such as the installation of a deep well water system to provide villagers with access to clean water; the establishment of a community trading store and job creation programmes aimed at recruiting local staff and tourism guides. The Lodge also procures all of the produce used in creating its vibrant menus locally, lowering its carbon footprint while at the same time increasing entrepreneurial opportunities in the community. Naara Eco Lodge is solar powered and has an efficient waste management system.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies the Montagu Country Hotel in Montagu!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added the Montagu Country Hotel in Montagu to the family of FTT-certified businesses.
The hotel has been investing in energy saving initiatives like solar, low-energy lighting, compost-making with biodegradable waste and water-saving initiatives. It is also active in the local community, providing soup for the village soup kitchen, working closely with a hospice and the local Rotary branch which both use the hotel for meetings. The Montagu Country Hotel also supports various schools, charities and churches in the area and ensures that its procurement is kept local, as far as possible, especially where meat and fresh produce is concerned. Most of the hotel's staff come from Montagu and the various villages and communities which surround it.
The town of Montagu is located near the picturesque Robertson Wine Valley on the famed Route 62 about 180km from Cape Town in the western Little Karoo.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies the Oude Werf Hotel in Stellenbosch!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, has added South Africa's oldest hotel, the Oude Werf Hotel in Stellenbosch, to the family of FTT-certified businesses. The hotel is run with a "living green" ethos which sees it recycle most of its waste, generate solar thermal energy and use energy and water efficient devices. In addition, it actively sources eco-friendly and ethically produced goods and produce from local entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Together with its sister hotels, Townhouse Hotel and Vineyard Hotel, the Oude Werf Hotel is the founder of Kids of the Cape Fund, a social investment initiative that supports nine children’s charities spanning education, health, HIV/Aids and feeding schemes.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies the Townhouse Hotel in Cape Town!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, recently added the Townhouse Hotel, situated in the heart of Cape Town, to the family of FTT-certified businesses. The four star hotel employs a multi-cultural and diverse team of 100 people. The Townhouse Hotel believes in responsible hoteling and has installed devices to help conserve energy and water as well as implementing waste recycling management practices. The hotel also supports local and ethical food suppliers, wherever possible. Off-site, the Townhouse Hotel donates a percentage of all conference delegate fees to greening projects such as tree-planting with Greenpop, and regularly arranges community-focused beach clean-ups with CleanC. Together with its sister hotels, Oude Werf Hotel and Vineyard Hotel, the Townhouse Hotel is a founder of Kids of the Cape Fund, a social investment initiative that supports nine children’s charities spanning education, health, HIV/Aids and feeding schemes.

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certifies four new tourism businesses in Mozambique!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African non-profit organisation that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, recently added four businesses in Mozambique to its portfolio of 64 FTT-certified tourism products in Southern Africa.

The four new businesses in Mozambique are:

• tour operator Terra Agua Ceu (Inhambane)
• eco lodge Dunes de Dovela (an hour's drive south of Inhambane)
• boutique resort Bahia Mar (Vilanculos)
• dive specialists Odyssea (Vilanculos)

These tourism businesses all adhere to the FTT standard and use the FTT label as a way of signifying their commitment to fair and responsible tourism. This includes fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certifies five new tourism businesses on Madagascar!

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, recently added five businesses on Madagascar to the family of FTT-certified businesses.

The five newly certified tourism businesses in Madagascar are:

• Salary Bay, located on Madagascar's south-west coastline
• Hotel Le Paradisier, a luxury eco-lodge located close to Salary Bay
• Mantasoa Lodge, a boutique hotel on the beautiful Lake Mantasoa, not far from the capital city of Antananarivo
• Bush House Lodge, a small eco-lodge located in the Toamasina region of Madagascar's east coast, within the Canal des Pangalanes Lake District
• Tsara Camp, located in the Tsaranoro Valley

These tourism businesses all adhere to the FTT standard and use the FTT label as a way of signifying their commitment to fair and responsible tourism. This includes fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.
Specific initiatives range from contributing to the education of children in the local communities and offering health clinics on their premises to working with local fishermen and fish farmers, in order to support them in making their businesses more profitable and more resilient. Recognizing the importance of preserving the local farming sector and increasing the value generated from agriculture, FTT-certified businesses provide local farmers with the necessary tools as well as sharing technical and commercial knowledge with them. The businesses are also dedicated to water and energy savings and make use of local handicrafts to decorate their rooms.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies the Pakamisa Lodge

update (20 March 2014): Contrary to a report in FTT's newsletter (Jan/Feb 2014) not the
Pakamisa Private Game Reserve got certified by Fair Trade Tourism but the Pakamisa Lodge inside the Pakamisa Private Game Reserve.

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, recently added the Pakamisa Private Game Reserve to the family of FTT-certified businesses.

According to FTT General Manager, Kathy Bergs, "Isabella and her team at Pakamisa have created a little piece of paradise on a mountain top in northern KZN. We encourage travellers to experience the best of both worlds – the ultimate Out of Africa experience combined with the knowledge that their stay is benefitting local communities and that the business is operated ethically and in a socially and environmentally responsible manner." via Fair Trade Tourism (FTT)

Pakamisa Private Game Reserve, located in Northern KwaZulu Natal, is a malaria-free 2 500-hectare bushveld estate. The Reserve offers horseback safaris for experienced and inexperienced riders, guided bush-walks and game drives, riding, mountain biking, clay target shooting, birding, swimming, fishing, cultural and botanical seminars.

Fair Trade Tourism certifies the Voortrekker Monument

Fair Trade Tourism's (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, recently added the Voortrekker Monument to the family of FTT-certified businesses.

As part of the greening initiatives at the Voortrekker Monument, a recycling project in conjunction with the restaurant on site was recently established.  For recycling at the monument, colour coded bins have been placed in strategic areas to make it easy for international tourists to contribute towards recycling project.
The Voortrekker Monument manages their water source, as well as two dams on site. The water in the dams is used to maintain the beautiful gardens. The Monument is also situated on a declared nature reserve. In addition, the Voortrekker Monument works closely with members of Tshwane Nature Conservation to ensure that the site conforms to standards. (via Fair Trade Tourism)

The monument, located just south of Pretoria in a nature reserve, was designed to commemorate the Voortrekkers by architect Gerard Moerdijk. It was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 and declared a Grade 1 National Heritage Site in July 2011. Today the Voortrekker Monument is the most visited heritage site of its kind in Gauteng and one of the top ten cultural historical visitor attractions in South Africa. The monument is open daily from Mondays to Sundays from 08:00 - 17:00 (May - Aug) or from 08:00 - 18:00 (Sept - April).

Fair Trade Tourism's (FTT) certification programme, which was recently outsourced to FLO-Cert, is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

South Africa: Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Hotel and Spa gets FTT-certification

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, recently added the Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Hotel and Spa in the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve to the list of FTT-certified businesses in South Africa. The Thaba Ya Batswana Eco Hotel and Spa sleeps 208 guests in 52 rooms. All rooms have access to WiFi and are equipped with iPad docking stations, en suite bathrooms, TV sets, air conditioning, lounge areas and complimentary coffee stations. The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, often referred to by locals as Johannesburg's "best-kept secret", is situated to the south of the city centre and stretches over 680 ha of open veld landscape and koppies.

Thaba Ya Batswana not only supports small and medium sized businesses with a favourable BBBEE rating, but also puts community interests first in all business dealings. The hotel has employed people from the community who live less than 20km from the hotel premises, in order to reduce each employee’s carbon footprint, as well as to enhance their family lives by less time travelling to and from work.
Local charities and schools are some of the beneficiaries of financial and practical assistance, provided in order to improve the lives of children, adults and the elderly in the community. 
The owners of Thaba Ya Batswana are founding members of both SOJO and KUBiC – organisations proactively involved in the ecological improvement and greening of the south of Johannesburg. The first self-sustaining green corridor will be their legacy.

Fair Trade Tourism's (FTT) certification programme, which was recently outsourced to FLO-Cert, is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

South Africa: Leriba Hotel and Spa (Centurion) gets FTT-certification

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, just announced that the Leriba Hotel and Spa has joined the list of FTT-certified businesses. The Leriba Hotel and Spa is a 4 and 5 Star hotel, nestled on 12 hectares of indigenous forest on the banks of the Hennops River in Centurion. The hotel is in walking distance to Centurion City and Centurion Gautrain Station. Johannesburg is 35 minutes away, OR Tambo International Airport only 45 minutes from OR Tambo International Airport and Pretoria just 10 minutes.

Leriba' sustainable tourism initiatives include:

• Hosting a number of tourism students each year for work and practical experience.
• Providing Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) training to their own staff.
• Using local and small suppliers extensively in their procurement process.
• Receiving 100% for Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) procurement.
• Contributing significantly to community social investment (both financially and in-kind).
• Obtaining a Gold Heritage Rating for their environmental practices, including waste management, water and energy consumption.
• Making significant financial investment in environmental projects.
• Ensuring excellent Health and Safety systems on site for guests and staff, including the number of staff who have valid First Aid and fire fighting certificates

Fair Trade Tourism's (FTT) certification programme, which was recently outsourced to FLO-Cert, is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. 

South Africa: Maropeng Visitor Centre gets Fair Trade Tourism-certification

Fair Trade Tourism (FTT), a South African NGO that encourages and monitors fair and responsible practises in tourism establishments and activities, just announced that Maropeng has joined the list of FTT-certified businesses. Maropeng is the official visitor centre of the Cradle of Humankind, one of only eight World Heritage Sites in South Africa– and the only one in Gauteng. Maropeng and the Cradle of Humankind are located about 50km northwest of Johannesburg.

As part of its greening initiatives, Maropeng has constructed an ozone waste-water purification system at the Sterkfontein Caves, which uses ozone from the atmosphere to accelerate the breaking down of solids by bacteria; as well as to sterilise water.
Another water management initiative is an artificial wetland system, called a Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland System (SSF CWS) at Maropeng's Visitor Centre. The wetland has been specially designed to naturally assist in the filtering and cleansing of the site’s grey and black water.
Other green projects close to Maropeng's eco-friendly heart include biodegradable packaging and eating utensils, the rechargeable torch batteries used by Maropeng's tour guides, conference notepads and pencils made using recycled paper, low-energy lighting and a variety of preservation efforts to protect indigenous fauna and flora in the area. (via Fair Trade Tourism)

Fair Trade Tourism's (FTT) certification programme, which was recently outsourced to FLO-Cert, is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

South Africa: Whalesong Lodge gets Fair Trade Tourism-certification

The Whalesong Lodge, a small intimate guesthouse perched on top of the rugged De Kelders Cliffs overlooking the picturesque Walker Bay, recently got certified by Fair Trade Tourism (FTT). The lodge offers five spacious bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, a  comfortable open-plan lounge and dining room, as well as a wooden deck and a small swimming pool.
The Whalesong Lodge uses ecologically sustainable and environmentally friendly cleaning products. The products are carefully chosen and a conscious effort is made re-use and recycle wherever possible, as well as to reduce the use of disposable and consumable goods (e.g. buying items in bulk and storing food in glass containers, while recycling all packaging, etc). Guests at Whalesong Lodge are informed about the lodge operator's green initiatives and activities in the service directory (e.g. recycling, composting, involvement in Trees for Tourism, support of sustainable food supplies, etc).

The Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certification is an independent endorsement of fair and responsible tourism practices by tourism establishments in South Africa. It is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. Certification is offered on a voluntary basis to providers of tourist accommodation, activities and attractions.

South Africa: Kungwini Guest House (Bronkhorstspruit) gets FTT-certification

The Kungwini Guest House in Bronkhorstspruit (Gauteng) is the fourth tourism business in the Dinokeng area to become certified by the Fair Trade Tourism (FTT). The Guest House is located in close proximity to Bronkhorstspruit Dam, Rietvlei Nature Reserve and the Nan Hua Buddhist temple & seminary. The Kungwini Guest House, just 45 minutes away from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, offers en-suite rooms with a patio overlooking its beautiful garden, an aiport shuttle service, laundry facilities as well as braai/bbq facilties and a fireplace.

Kungwini Guest House supports community development projects on an on-going basis and believes in youth development. It provides hospitality training for interns selected from the community and further supports the youth in sports and events that appeal to both the community and tourists.
Kungwini Guesthouse has further invested in to its community by providing support to entrepreneurs in the local area. The guesthouse has offered mentorship to an events management business, as well as enabling its start-up through the use of the Kungwini Guesthouse office facilities. A local catering company has also benefited from Kungwini Guest House by receiving assistance with networking and using their services. (via FTT)

The Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) certification is an independent endorsement of fair and responsible tourism practice in South Africa. It is based on adherence to specific criteria including fair wages and working conditions, fair distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. Certification is offered on a voluntary basis to providers of tourist accommodation, activities and attractions. 
The certification of the Kungwini Guest House is part of the Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) project "Travel with a Conscience", which is aimed at positioning Dinokeng as a responsible tourism destination. Dinokeng includes the three hubs of Dinokeng Game Reserve, Roodeplaat Dam and Cullinan.