Powerpoint by Jennifer Seif, Executive Director, Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa, on “Community-Based Tourism and Certification in South Africa” from 16 Nov. 2005 presentation in Washington, DC.
Jennifer Seif provided an overview of the South African context and approaches to community-based tourism (CBT) since the fall of Apartheid in 1994. This overview shows that the country’s initial focus on “pure” CBT ventures has largely given way to new approaches based on partnerships. Examples of tools and approaches to CBT used by government, private sector, NGOs and development agencies will be presented. Jennifer also examined the approach to CBT undertaken by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), an NGO focusing on tourism certification including FTTSA’s activities, objectives and achievements to date as well as a short description of two FTTSA-certified establishments – one a “pure” CBT venture, the other a large mainstream establishment. These examples illustrate FTTSA’s dual approach to CBT, which mirrors the evolving national approach. The presentation concluded by considering what lessons the South African context might convey to other developing destinations.
Jennifer Seifis the Executive Director of Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), a position she has held for more than four years. She holds a number of academic qualifications in economics, history, social anthropology and business administration, and is currently completing her Ph.D. at the University of Pretoria, focusing on tourism certification. Prior to joining FTTSA, Jennifer was Product Development Manager for the North West Parks & Tourism Board in South Africa. In 2001 and again in 2003 Jennifer was recognized by the Ashoka Citizens Base Initiative, for excellence in non-profit resource mobilization. She is an elected member of the board of the Tourism Business Council of South Africa (since 2004) and a founding Trustee of Fairtrade South Africa (FTSA), a national initiative of FLO-International. See: www.fairtourismsa.org.za