Take responsibility for ensuring a sustainable future

The Southern African Chapter of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) provides local context to a global imperative that we all take responsibility for ensuring a sustainable future.

The Chapter is guided by the 2022 Responsible Tourism Charter, signed on Magna Carta Island on November 6th, 2022.

• Responsibility for Sustainability: Recognizing that sustainability is contingent upon assuming responsibility, the charter emphasizes the role of Responsible Tourism in creating better living and visiting environments.
• Global Issues, Local Action: Acknowledging global challenges like greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and biodiversity loss, the charter emphasizes the need for local action to address these issues effectively.
• Goal Setting and Reporting: It advocates for the establishment of goals, measurement, and reporting mechanisms to mitigate negative economic, environmental, and social impacts, including crowding and overtourism.
• Community Engagement: Encouraging local involvement in decision-making processes, the charter highlights the importance of empowering communities and addressing their economic needs.
• Conservation and Cultural Preservation: It emphasizes the positive contributions of Responsible Tourism to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage, biodiversity, and cultural diversity.
• Inclusive Employment and Cultural Sensitivity: The charter promotes inclusive employment practices and culturally sensitive experiences, fostering mutual respect and pride between tourists and hosts.

The goals and objectives of the Southern African ICRT Chapter include:

• Campaign for Responsible Tourism: Promoting Responsible Tourism through idea promotion and demonstration projects.
• Facilitate South-South Exchange: Encouraging and facilitating knowledge exchange among Responsible Tourism academics and practitioners.
• Advocacy and Information Dissemination: Organizing conferences and workshops and disseminating information about Responsible Tourism principles and practices through various media. The Inaugural Southern Africa Workshop will be hosted in April 2024 at Piggs Peak Hotel in Eswatini.

ICRT SA welcomes stakeholders and tourism professionals interested in building responsible practices in the tourism industry. To find out more contact icrtsa@rtp.email

Original article posted by Harold Goodwin on the Responsible Tourism Partnership website.