Fair Trade Tourism certification - what it means

Fair Trade Tourism is a non-profit organisation that recognises and promotes responsible, sustainable tourism enterprises in Southern Africa. Its purpose is to create opportunities for business owners and employees of tourism businesses in developing countries to enter and trade in markets governed by fair practice and transparency. Added to this, it provides tourists with the opportunity to travel responsibly and make a difference in the lives of the communities to which they travel, through responsible purchasing of Fair Trade Tourism products.

Onsite auditing

In order to qualify for FTT Certification, a series of rigorous onsite audits were carried out at each of the hotels to ensure compliance with key FTT Certification criteria. These audits covered business practices, the provision of fair wages, working conditions, distribution of benefits and purchasing and procurement practices. The audits also evaluated commitment to the respect of human rights, culture and heritage, and the environment.

"The independent auditor conducted various site inspections and meetings with the health and safety committees and numerous workers, discussing everything from contracts and pay slips to the policy around tipping," says group environmental manager and horticulturist Chris van Zyl. "Through this process we have learned that FTT is as much about taking care of our environment, as it is taking care of our team. The hotels are proud to have formalised their commitment to fair and responsible tourism."

Responsible hoteling makes sense to the group because they recognise they are part of a rich tourism destination and helping to preserve it, as well as its people, communities and environments. It doesn't only make common business sense, but it's just the right thing to do. "Guests are becoming more aware and many consider 'tourism with a conscience' as the only viable option," says van Zyl. "Because of this we are proud to be able to provide them with Fair Trade products, as well as complete peace of mind in that regard."

Daily operations

How do the Vineyard, Oude Werf and Townhouse Hotel live the spirit of Fair Trade?

• They employ over 600 people from 16 nations and over the past decade they have provided on-the-job training to 100's of new industry interns.

• They recycle most of their waste (95% at the Vineyard alone). They also donate bread to soup kitchens and repurpose usable towels and linens.

• Two of the hotels generate their own solar/thermal power and all rooms are fitted with energy/water-saving devices.

• They source goods and services almost entirely from local suppliers and new entrepreneurs in the Western Cape.

• The Kids of the Cape Fund, assisted by guests has helped almost 50 community upliftment projects over the past five years.

• They are associates of 'green' initiatives like the Long Table Food Project, the SA Sustainable Seafood Initiative, Friends of the Liesbeek, Greenpop and the Event Greening Forum. The Vineyard's The Square was the first SA Sustainable Seafood Initiative restaurant.

• Their hotel properties include two national heritage sites, among them South Africa's oldest hotel, which welcomed its first guests in 1802.

• Staff volunteer for beach and river clean-ups, community greening, removal of invasive plants and preserving indigenous flora at two Cape nature reserves.