Archives
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- December 2009
- October 2009
July 2011
Sustainability is much more than “doing the right thing”
For many in the corporate sector, sustainability is perceived as a soft issue, far removed from the real business of maximising shareholder value. All too often it’s seen as being about ‘giving back’ to society through a social investment programme, encouraging marketing departments to embrace the ‘green agenda’, and signing up to charters and initiatives that supposedly signify some form of higher moral compass.
“This misunderstanding of sustainability demonstrates both a failure within the business sector to appreciate the strategic significance of societal issues, as well as the flawed approach of many within the sustainability movement who continue to frame the debate in the context of ‘doing the right thing,” says Jonathon Hanks, Managing Director of Incite Sustainability.
Hanks will be addressing this and other misconceptions during the Environmental Management in Tourism (EMiT) conference from 9-10 November at the Sandton Sun Conference Centre in Johannesburg. [Read on...]
Green drinks
There was a fantastic talk and turnout at the last Green Drinks session in Johannesburg, when Justin Bowen came to talk about Menlyn Maine (www.menlynmaine.co.za).
The next Green Drinks speaker will be Amanda Colling from Innu-Science. She will be talking about green cleaning, beyond the greenwash. [Read on...]
Interview on Radio 702
Justin Hawes, the co-chair of the Event Greening Forum, was interviewed by Redi Tlhabi on Radio 702 (Thursday 14 July 2011).
Listen to the podcast here: GreenTip20110714.
Global tourism and travel industry needs to commit to “sustainability”
The lack of real commitment by hoteliers and other travel and tourism professionals to the need for more sustainable business practices poses a serious risk to the future of travel and to the development of destinations around the world. In Africa and other developing countries, this risk is multiplied as tourist numbers increase and demand for less travelled destinations grows, placing unplanned and often unrealistic demands on already stressed resources. [Read on...]
Sustainable business practices must be foundation for hospitality and green meeting industries
Internationally, the demand for sustainable meetings and events is becoming standard practice and the South African tourism, travel and meetings industry is urged to make it the foundation of its business practices rather than an add-on, if it wants to capitalize on this lucrative market.
“People from across the different sectors of the meetings and events (and hospitality) industry have been following separate, if similar, steps on the journey toward sustainable business practices. This has led to different practices and results, all of which encourage continued action and innovation, but may not be the most effective approach in terms of moving the industry to adopt standards that all of us accept and adhere to when planning an event or meeting”, says Paul Salinger, president elect of the global Green Meetings Industry Council and speaker at the upcoming Environmental Management in Tourism (EMiT) conference later this year.
Gauteng 2011 Tourism Summit
Save the date: on the 21st and 22nd of July the MEC for Economic Development Qedani Mahlangu and the Gauteng Tourism Authority will convene the 2011 Gauteng Tourism Summit.
This inaugural annual Gauteng Tourism Summit will provide a platform for all key tourism stakeholders to engage with the tourism strategy on a practical level. The intention is to facilitate greater understanding and to enrich the content of the strategy. More specifically, the summit aims to obtain consensus on how to take theory and translate it into practical action which will help Gauteng build a globally competitive tourism economy.
The programme is designed to address the most pressing issues facing tourism in Gauteng today and will be professionally moderated by key industry leaders and experts. The interactive and dynamic sessions are set in a highly interactive format that encourages audience participation in debates and maximises open dialogue and spontaneity.
Download the programme here.
Restorative Breakfast
The Gauteng Natural Step Network invites you to their next Restorative Breakfast.
The topic for this open forum discussion is
Implementing TNS and incorporating sustainability principles into business operations,
offerings and CSI initiatives.
with a member of the green team at The IQ Business Group. [Read on...]
SITE incentive travel seminar attracts movers and shakers
The Convention Industry Council’(CIC) international member SITE’s SA Chapter will be co-hosting a hard-hitting incentive travel education seminar at Monte Casino on Monday 25th July.
The programme cuts to the core of the South African incentive travel industry with Gavin Wood Southern Sun’s MD as the main speaker on the Keys to Maximising Efficiency between Supplier, Agency and Client. [Read on...]
Bike4Beasts
Lycaon Logistics introduces an exciting new format of Bike4Beasts for 2011. Partnering with South African National Parks and Mopane Bush Lodge, riders will be offered the opportunity to combine an escorted mountain bike adventure with specialised carnivore research and cultural heritage tours over a number of long weekends – 12 – 15 August or 28 -31 October.
Riders will be taken to some of the most scenic and beautiful parts of this area, including Mapungubwe NP, rewarded with amazing views, close wildlife experiences and some fantastic mountain biking all from the comforts of two luxury lodges (Mopane Bush Lodge and Tshugulu Lodge).
Get more information by downloading the pdf BIKE4BEASTSNewsletter June 2011.
SA needs to address external carbon debt associated with energy and long haul tourism
Globally, the link between responsibility, carbon emissions and long-haul tourism remains a challenge, and how the South African tourism industry addresses this will largely decide our future sustainability as a destination.
One of the country’s leading renewable energy and carbon specialists, Professor Alan Brent, Associate Director at the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University, believes that unless the industry takes responsibility for emissions associated with travel to and within South Africa the country will lose market share to those destinations that do. [Read on...]
