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Welcome
back! It's been a busy couple of months since our last update with so
many observances aligned with FTT principles, including World
Environment Day, World Oceans Day, World Day Against Child Labour Day
and now Plastic Free July! We all agree that these should be respected
every day but we appreciate the annual reminder and special attention
given to these days by the #FTTFamily.
That is why sharing the family happenings in this newsletter is so fun -
it's an opportunity for us to showcase what all of you do and to
inspire others with your achievements. So without further ado... let's
get to it!
P.S. Please remember to share your Fair Trade Tourism achievements with us so that we can feature them in future editions.
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As
announced in our last newsletter, in our social media, and at WTM
Africa in April, FTT has embarked on a #SourceFairTrade campaign with
the World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) to make our tourism network
more aware of WFTO-guaranteed products that are available locally.
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Being
guaranteed by WFTO means that these businesses are operating in a way
that is similar to that of the FTT Family in that the principles of Fair
Trade are part of their operating ethos, which is then independently
verified. By buying the goods they produce, you are contributing to an
economy that embraces empowerment and positive impact. For more
information about WFTO and its global community, find them on http://wfto.com.
Featured products for this newsletter edition are provided below. You
can also follow us on Facebook and Twitter (both @FairTradeTourism) for
ongoing snippets of info about how you might use these items in your own
operations.
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Rain Africa
produces luxury handmade body and skincare products that are made with
love and care for their customers, craftspeople and the environment.
Their product promise is to be organically African, to care for the
users and producers of their products, to embrace a people-centred
approach, and to be nature-friendly and cruelty-free.
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Rain
has developed a range of products specifically for the hospitality
sector, which includes high quality, environmentally-friendly guest
amenities as well as practical, sector-specific items such as wall
brackets and refillable, sand-blasted glass bottles.
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You can find all of these and so much more in their online shop (https://shop.rainafrica.com/)
or if you prefer to immerse yourself in the natural fragrances and
textures, their store locations and more information are available on
their website: https://rainafrica.com.
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TopQualiTea gives
your business the perfect opportunity to offer a uniquely local hot
beverage option on tea and coffee trays. They specialize in Rooibos and
Honeybush as well as a unique Espresso tea for a caffeine-free Rooibos
(or Honeybush) Espresso option.
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All
of the TopQualiTea teas are certified organic and produced without
pesticides, chemical fertilizers or other agrochemicals. They are
produced in cooperation with small farmer-families and can be purchased
online (https://topqualitea.bio/online-shop) or at a range of outlets across southern Africa, all of which are listed on their website: https://topqualitea.bio/.
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African Butterfly
produces functional, durable, high quality hair combs that are hand
crafted by women from the communities in the immediate vicinity of the
business founders’ base. The hair combs are suited to all hair types,
thick or thin!
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They
have been so loved by those who try them that what started out in 2004
as a small, family-owned business in Gauteng has turned into a
successful business with distributors of the patented fashion accessory
in a number of countries around the world!
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WFTO-guaranteed
and made in South Africa, the hair combs come in a range of styles,
colours and materials that would surely be great sellers in your curio
shop. Or you could make them part of your staff uniform to give your
team a uniquely South African look that would also ensure hair was kept
neat and presentable while on shift.
African Butterfly's range is available on their online shop: http://africanbutterflyheadoffice.com/store/ and learn more about them at www.fairtradecombs.com/products.
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Remember… FTT members qualify for a discount on the purchase of WFTO-guaranteed items for the duration of the campaign!
For more information, or to access your #FTTFamily discount, please contact Ana Lemmer on ana@fairtrade.travel.
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Images copyright ©: World Fair Trade Organization,
Rain Africa, Top QualiTea, and African Butterfly
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ISIBINDI AFRICA GETS THE JUMP ON PLASTIC FREE JULY
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Over
the past 2 years, Isibindi Africa's KwaZulu-Natal lodges have taken the
fight against plastic pollution seriously, either eliminating or
dramatically reducing single-use plastics in their operations. So far,
plastic items that they have tackled include:
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- plastic straws; paper ones are available on request only
- small juice boxes are not offered any more since they come with plastic straws
- paper liners - not plastic ones - are used for bins
- packed lunches no longer use plastic wrap; reusable containers and greaseproof paper are the alternative in place now
- sanitary disposal liners have been replaced with paper ones
- soap packaging has been replaced by recycled content soap boxes
- earbuds and shower caps have been removed from rooms
- milk is provided in jugs instead of sachets wherever possible
- guest amenities are provided in refillable glass or recycled plastic bottles
- toothpicks wrapped in paper are available instead of plastic wrapped ones
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Their
coastal properties also provide guests with hessian bags to collect
beach litter on their walks (with a complimentary cocktail as an
incentive!). Items collected are used for local art projects which are
then displayed on site!
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For more information about Isibindi Africa's lodges, see www.isibindi.co.za.
They have also recently established the Isibindi Foundation, which you can learn about on www.isibindifoundation.org.
Images copyright ©: Isibindi Africa and Lisa Scriven
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TED-Ed YOUTH TALKS AT THE BACKPACK
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The
Backpack sponsors a TED-Ed Club from Dunoon in Cape Town, hosting
their Ted-Ed talks in the hostel every second Thursday of the month.
Guests are invited to join and listen, providing a live audience for the
speakers (and an opportunity to raise some funds!).
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TED-Ed
Clubs are extracurricular clubs that encourage students to stand up and
have their voices heard. It offers them a chance to explore topics
they’re passionate about, to convert their thoughts into a speech
performing it to a live audience. Club members are provided with the
materials, tailored to each student’s individual needs, as well as the
advice and mentoring they need to succeed. The club members not only
improve their research skills and English comprehension but also their
public speaking capabilities.
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They
also learn stress and time management skills, which are vital to their
future successes in educational and professional prospects. The club
members are given the opportunity to connect with other members of
TED-Ed Clubs around the world and to see the global impact of their
ideas.
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TED-Ed
Clubs are an initiative of SAVE foundation that works to enrich,
educate and empower various township and settlement communities, as well
as protect and rehabilitate wildlife in areas of Africa through the
assistance of enthusiastic volunteers and sponsors such as The Backpack
and its dedicated staff.
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GIVING COFFEE BAY KIDS A MONTESSORI HEAD START
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Coffee
Shack Backpackers has been driving development projects in and around
the Coffee Bay area of the Wild Coast since day one.
One of its biggest impact initiatives in terms of influencing the future
of the community has been launching a pre-primary educational
opportunity that was previously non-existent and that offers the diverse
range of tiny learners a form of directed education that teaches them
independence and freedom of intellectual development.
Sounds like the kind of school we all would have liked to have
attended... The fantastic video below shares more, both about the school
and the "directors" from the local community who work there.
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The story of Ikhaya Labantwana: "The children, they are clever...!"
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SOME WACKY FUNDRAISING AT JAN HARMSGAT...
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The
Wacky Butterfly Trail Run was hosted on the beautiful farm of Jan
Harmsgat Country House near Swellendam on 8 June 2019 as part of the
Wacky Wine Festival. The fundraiser event was hosted in aid of the
Barrydale Hospice, an NGO that provides palliative care in the nearby
town of Barrydale.
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The
Wacky Butterfly Trail Run attracted over 100 runners who took part in
either the 5km or 10km options, both of which meandered through the
rhenosterveld, vineyards and pomegranate orchards on Jan Harmsgat Farm.
Barrydale Hospice is dependent on donations to carry out its service the area, so support like this is greatly appreciated.
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Jan Harmsgat not only hosted the event, but also provided the prizes for the winners of the fun run!
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Images copyright ©: Steven Esterhuizen and Gabi Rodrigues
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THREE TREE HILL SUPPORTS RISING YOUTH LEADERS
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A
proud moment for young student, Noxolo Ndaba, from Hambrook village as
she finally graduates from Boston College after completing her Computer
Training course. All whilst also teaching students at the Nobomi High
School!
The course consisted of all aspects pertaining to computer skills, such
as word processing, general office practise, windows, excel,
understanding the internet. During this time she has been sharing her
skills with the children at Nobomi High School in the classroom that was
modified by Three Tree Hill.
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Noxolo
was chosen by Three Tree Hill out of the top matric achievers as
recommended by the school principal in 2017. Noxolo's expenses were
covered completely, including her diploma tuition, administration,
transport to / from the college, meals whilst at the college, and her
salary stipend whilst teaching!
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Three
Tree Hill is grateful to its past guests for supporting this
achievement; it is through them that contributions to the Community
& Conservation Fund made it possible for Noxolo to achieve her
success.
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For more information about Three Tree Hill as well as their Community & Conservation Fund, see www.threetreehill.co.za.
Images copyright © Three Tree Hill
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UPDATES FROM THE ORCA FOUNDATION IN PLETT
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South
Africa is often a land of extremes and the people of Plettenberg Bay
have experienced that in its harshest form recently. We were, therefore,
so heartened to read about the impact of Siyakula on the Qolweni
community over the past year.
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Siyakula
is the community development 'arm' of the Orca Foundation, which has
long been supported by Ocean Blue Adventures. Its achievements over the
past year addressed many social development priorities of the local
Qolweni community.
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These
included a makeover and geyser installation at Siyakula Crèche,
installation of internet (a first in Qolweni) and laptops for learners,
exposure to music through the ongoing Field Band programme, as well as
school and elderly feeding programmes.
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Images copyright © Orca Foundation
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RESPECTING CULTURE AT STORMSRIVER ADVENTURES
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Stormsriver Adventures has gone another step ahead to ensure that it is respectful of the cultures of its clientele and staff.
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Lee-Marque
Jansen, who heads up their Marketing & PR, proudly announced the
addition of a prayer room for Stormsriver Adventures' Muslim
adventurers! Jansen pointed out that "Stormsriver Adventures is the
first eco adventure company to offer an Outdoor Prayer Room for its
Muslim clientele.”
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The
addition of the prayer room complements other facilities on site,
including a restaurant that caters for everyone, including vegan,
vegetarian and halaal dietary requirements.
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For more information about Stormsriver Adventures, the activities it offers,
and why it has been FTT-certified for 16-years (!!)
visit www.stormsriver.com.
Image copyright © Stormsriver Adventures
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MARINE DYNAMICS ACADEMY - FOR MARINE LOVERS
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Based
in Gansbaai, the Marine Dynamics Academy is part of the award-winning
Marine Dynamics group. The Academy's overriding goal is to give people
who love the marine environment a chance to immerse themselves within
it, developing skills and experiences that they can use to enhance their
own careers and life goals.
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(Above: Estuary monitoring in the Gansbaai area, copyright © Marine Dynamics Academy)
Three programmes are available:
International Marine Volunteers: this Fair Trade Tourism certified product is suitable for anyone to gain first hand experience of eco-tourism and conservation
Scientific Skills Based Internship: a four week
programme offering a series of exclusive, high level academic and
field-based skills training modules for marine science undergraduates
and recent graduates
Marine and Coastal Guiding: a comprehensive training
and development for prospective guides that is endorsed by FGASA (Field
Guides Association of Southern Africa); students can qualify and
register as a legal guide.
For more information about the Marine Dynamics Academy, visit https://marinedynamics.org/academy/
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Leveraging Sustainable Procurement to Transform Tourism
A
collection of 16 case studies that illustrate successful sustainable
procurement practices in the tourism sector were launched by UN
Environment as a contribution to our Sustainable Tourism Programme.
These stories show how corporate buyers have effectively embedded
sustainability in their procurement processes to improve resource
efficiency and reduce GHG emissions, available here.
Tourism Concern Resources Still Available
Sadly, 2018 marked the closure of Tourism Concern... Thankfully, a large
part of its legacy - the vital research that it amassed over 30 years -
has been made available through Travindy, which you can access here.
If you are interested, the story of Tourism Concern's years on the front line of tourism activism can be found here.
ST Trends and Challenges in 2019
Interested to see what the general expert consensus is about sustainable
tourism at the moment? Read what thought leaders from around the globe
are saying here.
Guidelines for Providing Sustainable Product Information
Global guidance on making effective environmental, social and economic
claims, to empower and enable consumer choice. The Guidelines offer
value chain and public sector professionals clear guidance on making
effective, trustworthy claims to consumers, on product-related
sustainability information. They are applicable to all regions and
companies of all sizes. Available here.
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