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Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Support Programme

Tourism and hospitality businesses selected for pilot Sustainable Tourism Enterprise Programme (STEP) 

With ever-increasing market demand and expectation for tourism businesses to take responsibility for their impacts, as well as the need for destinations to advance their progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is of growing urgency to motivate industry to adopt sustainable tourism-aligned operating practices.

Recognising this, the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) recently invited tourism and hospitality businesses based in the Western Cape to apply to participate in a pilot programme. 

The programme will assist participating businesses on their journey to implement more sustainable and resilient operations and management systems. 

STEP will bring together passionate individuals to collaborate, learn, and implement sustainable tourism strategies that benefit business, the environment and local communities. Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Engage in cluster meetings facilitated by an industry expert.
  • Network with like-minded professionals and organizations.
  • Develop and implement a sustainability action plan for their business.
  • Gain insights into the latest trends and best practices in sustainable tourism.

In response to a call for applications, 84 submissions were received from across the province. Following a rigorous adjudication process by a committee, 15 participants were selected, and to date, 13 participants have confirmed participation.

The participating businesses are: Adventure Shop (Stellenbosch), Blackwaters River Lodge & Mashie Golf Course (Knysna), Cape Adventure Brands (Cape Town), Ceres Zipline Adventures (Ceres), Denneboom Vineyards (Paarl), Just Joey Lodge (Stellenbosch), Lumley's Place Guesthouse (Stellenbosch), Mamzo's Lounge (Plettenberg Bay), SouthernXplorer (Cape Town), Township & Village (Stellenbosch), TrustJoy Tourism (Cape Town), Vibe Van Adventure Tours (Stellenbosch) and Wishing For Africa Safaris (Cape Town).

In the coming months, these businesses will undergo a baseline audit and develop an action plan. They will also participate in cluster meetings and attend onsite training and mentoring. 

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