DESTINATIONS WHAT’S NEXT? RESPONSIBLE TOURISM
w MARINE CONSERVATION Danny Copeland, marine conservationist and trip leader, Dive Worldwide “Plastic pollution is by no means the only challenge
our oceans are facing. Overfishing and habitat destruction are major issues, while climate change and its twin sister, ocean acidification, are arguably the two largest threats that exacerbate the rest. “Resources are limited, so marine
conservationists must prioritise their efforts to conserve the ecosystems and species that are critical to maintaining the health of the wider ocean realm. We must protect areas where marine species come to breed and aggregate, such as mangroves and reefs, as well as corners of our ocean that harbour a diverse range of species, such as the Coral Triangle, an area around Indonesia and the Philippines that’s like the Amazon of the ocean. We’re creating more trips that proactively contribute to marine conservation in a direct and tangible way, partnering with local scientists and NGOs to support their work.”
w WATER MANAGEMENT Tolene van der Merwe, UK & Ireland hub head, South African Tourism “At the start of this year, Cape Town was
experiencing an ongoing water shortage due to sustained periods of drought, leading to reports that residents of the Cape Town area would experience a severely reduced supply
We must continue to be sensitive to the changing environment and modify our attitudes to water consumption
ABOVE: Diving with giant manta rays
BELOW: Cape Town, South Africa
of water to preserve dam levels. “However, Cape Town has had significant rainfall during the last few months and as a result, dam levels have risen consistently and are now up to 56% full. “Restrictions on water usage are
still in place, and the City of Cape Town, provincial government, tourism industry and Capetonians alike, have implemented robust measures to reduce water consumption. “Hotels and the travel industry
have been at the forefront of this, introducing low-flow taps and shower heads, encouraging visitors to take quick showers, asking guests to use their towels more than once, and filling swimming pools with salt (sea) water. “Cape Town has and always has had enough water for tourists’ essential daily needs, and all major tourist attractions, restaurants, bars and other entertainment spots are operational. The best thing that tourists can do is to keep coming to Cape Town. “We must of course all continue
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to be sensitive to the changing environment and modify our attitudes to water consumption, to ensure we manage and preserve this invaluable resource for generations to come.”
w LOCAL COMMUNITIES Jamie Sweeting, vice-president of social enterprise and responsible travel, G Adventures “Conserving cultures and
protecting indigenous communities makes up one of three focus areas for the social enterprise projects we support. “We found very little guidance on
what responsible business practice looked like for companies working with indigenous communities and businesses. Ironically, there have been a number of pieces published on what indigenous communities and businesses should do to work with us, but not the other way around. “To date, we are honoured to have the opportunity to take our travellers to experience about 100 different indigenous peoples and tribes around the globe. Examples of our projects include a recent partnership with the indigenous Wiwa community that live in the villages surrounding Colombia’s Lost City. Working alongside the first indigenous travel company in the region, we have created a new exit trekking route that allows our travellers to visit the villages for the first time, led by an indigenous guide.”
PICTURE: SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM; ANDY HUNTLEY
PICTURE: DANNY COPELAND/DIVEWORLDWIDE
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