FAIR Trade in South Africa received a huge boost yesterday at World Travel Market with the launch of several Fair Trade holiday packages in South Africa by global tour operator, Kuoni. Pioneered by Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA), Kuoni and its South African-based counterpart, Private Safaris, the new 15-day Fair Trade South Africa Garden Route package takes travellers to local tourism product that are FTTSA-certified.

All components of Kuoni’s Ananea package tour to South Africa as well as all contractual relationships in the value chain have been audited against Fair Trade Tourism standards and certified by FTTSA.

The fact that accommodation and activities in the packages are FTTSA-certified means that local social, economic and environmental impacts are managed equitably and responsibly, resulting in nett benefits for workers, small businesses and communities.

An additional amount is incorporated within the retail price of each holiday package and channelled into a co-operatively managed fund. The fund is responsible for investing premium monies into socio-economic development projects that improve the quality of life of fair trade beneficiaries.

SA Tourism Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk, says there is a market that is prepared to pay a premium for socially and environmentally sustainable tourism packages. He says FTTSA, with its trade partners, is bringing to market the product these travellers want.

Kuoni, says Matthias Leisinger, the company’s Head of Corporate Responsibility, is committed to more sustainable tourism. “We believe in the concept and there are customers that are demanding this of us. We want to be an innovative company, so are prepared to take the risk.”

Harriet Lamb, Executive Director of the UK-based Fairtrade Foundation, says eight out of 10 people say they expect companies to be working to reduce poverty and at least seven out of 10 want this principle to apply in tourism. “There’s serious commitment by companies because the public wants it.”

According to Jennifer Seif, FTTSA executive director, the vision is that South Africa will help their colleagues internationally to develop a Fair Trade label for tourism worldwide. “We are leading the debate in South Africa, and setting standards and systems for the rest of the world.”

Seif says the organisation will, from next year, be working with neighbouring countries in Africa to develop a Fair Trade system for tourism. “The initiative is being driven by the south for a change.”