SENSE OF AFRICA PUTTING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INTO PRACTICE
JOHANNESBURG | 06 OCTOBER 2020 –
Sense of Africa appreciates that they are part of a broader community and that they have a responsibility towards the natural as well as social environment. Hence, Sense of Africa feels they have a moral obligation to work in a sustainable manner in the full spectrum of the destinations that they operate in.
Clients and partners are given the opportunity to contribute towards the ‘Green Seat’, the proceeds of which go directly to community project beneficiaries. The vision is for the Green Seat beneficiaries to improve our people, planet and wildlife. It is only in this way that visitors will continue to appreciate Africa’s precious natural treasures.
Sense of Africa, South Africa are always on the lookout for new projects and causes that align with their goal to make a meaningful and measurable impact on our people, planet and wildlife. One of their active community projects on the ground is African Home, a Community Project based in Woodstock, Cape Town that facilitates the production of handmade Green Seat badges. Other beneficiaries of social and environmental support include; EWT and the support of a training programme for a conservation canine, Trees for Tourism and SANParks Honorary Rangers.
Sense of Africa. Namibia is on a mission to reduce plastic waste, providing each guest with an eco-friendly, reusable shopping bag. On group tours, single-use water bottles are being phased out and replaced with reusable water bottles. Guests can replenish from large containers filled with high-quality water on board smaller vehicles. An electrically connected water unit is also being tested on the larger coaches for future implementation. Self-drive guests can request for an aluminium TOSCO water bottle at an additional cost, but by doing so, they also support conservation efforts in Namibia. All proceeds go directly towards the TOSCO trust fund that supports conservation projects across Namibia
Sense of Africa, East Africa is happy to support this noble cause of environmental sustainability. It is in the final stages of aligning itself by providing refillable water bottles to all clients on arrival. The clients can refill the same from the larger bottles in the vehicles and respective hotels, lodges and camps. In 2017, Kenya banned single-use plastic bags and flat bags and imposed jail terms of up to four years and fines of Sh4 million for those in breach. In June 2019, Kenya also banned single-use plastics in protected areas such as national parks, beaches, forests and conservation areas.
Sense of Africa, Botswana works closely with suppliers that are eco accredited, which means they are often run on solar power, use reusable water bottles and focus on the preservation of the local biodiversity. As a destination, Botswana is well known for its conservation and sustainability efforts, focusing on high value, low impact tourism. The Botswana government is currently preparing the final policy to abolish single-use plastic bags which we anticipate to be confirmed in 2021. Sustainability begins with education, and it starts at home. So in the local Maun community the team is actively involved in sustainability projects including annual litter clean-ups of the riverbed and our town.
Built on a foundation of respect for the natural world, Sense of Africa will continue to work with local communities and travel partners to deliver a sustainable product.