Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) launched a new membership programme in May aimed at tourism businesses that need support for their sustainability measures but do not have the resources to become certified in the short term.
For an annual membership fee, ranging from 1,100 (ZAR) for a sole enterprise to 6,000 (ZAR) for a business with 26-50 staff members, Fair Trade Tourism will guide businesses along the sustainability path, focusing on areas such as legal compliance, labour and staff management, reducing energy, water and waste, fair purchasing and improving market access.
Commenting on the entry level programme, Jane Edge, Managing Director of FTT said: “Our aim is to bring smaller businesses into the Fair Trade Tourism value chain, to encourage them to operate more sustainably and to expose them to tour operators who support sustainable efforts. By lowering the threshold for enterprises to access our business development services, we hope to broaden our sustainability impact and contribute to the inclusive growth of the tourism industry.”
Aspirant members need to be approved by FTT’s Client Advisory Committee and to sign a pledge committing them to year-on-year improvements in their sustainability measures. Applicants fill out a self-evaluation form online about their sustainability actions and FTT will produce a gap analysis highlighting areas where the business needs to improve. FTT will provide the toolkits, templates, and advice required to assist businesses along the sustainability path.
For more information, contact Thiofhi Ravele, FTT Business Development Services Manager at [email protected] or apply online at www.fairtrade.travel.
Showcasing Africa’s role in Sustainable Tourism Development
Fair Trade Tourism has partnered with TourismTattler.com in supporting the aims and aspirations of the 2017 International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. Through a series of editorial features published throughout this year, TourismTattler.com will be profiling a selection of Fair Trade certified tourism businesses who meet and in many cases exceed, sustainable tourism practices. Read more about this initiative and how to be included HERE.
View Fair Trade’s Sustainable Tourism Gems already listed on the UNWTO #IYSTD2017 official website at: www.tourism4development2017.org
