Plans to Paint the Mother City Green

Cape Town is fast becoming a leading responsible tourism destination

The City of Cape Town’s Economic, Social Development and Tourism Portfolio Committee has adopted a Responsible Tourism Policy and Action Plan. The plan is a first of its kind in South Africa that will enhance Cape Town’s positioning as a leading tourism destination.

The threat of Global warming has raised awareness about how our actions affect the environment and those around us. People are becoming even more aware of this in their travels and are beginning to take steps to reduce the impact of their visit on the indigenous cultures and environment of the places they visit.

As a result, a growing number of tourists are looking for a different experience when visiting a foreign land. They want to get closer to the people in the country they visit and experience its real natural and cultural heritage.

Cape Town has already seen the fruits of the steps taken to make the Mother City a leading responsible tourist destination. Cape Town has recently won leading awards, including Africa’s Leading Destination Award two years in a row and continues to be voted for by travelers as one of the world’s best destinations.

Responsible Tourism is a unique approach to the management of tourism, which aims to maximize the benefits of the destination for both tourists and locals while minimising costs to destination. In this way the destination and its people are not greatly affected by the presence of travelers.

This approach helps to create better places for people to live in and better places for people to visit.

The RTP establishes the basis for economically sustainable tourism that contributes to poverty alleviation and economic empowerment as well as social and cultural sustainable tourism that enhances and protects the value of the local lifestyles and heritage.

Cape Town’s industry and local government have agreed on Responsible Tourism Campaign. September is Tourism Month in Cape Town and thus it is appropriate that the campaign be launched during this time.

The launch will commence with the signing of a Responsible Tourism Charter for Cape Town by the City and the major tourism sector organisations.

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