Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
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BEE Charter
Figure 5.4
Level of understanding of the Tourism BEE Charter and Scorecard
are the formal framework on which the transformation agenda and sustainable
tourism development in South Africa is founded. The low level of understanding
on the part of tourism business managers who are tasked to put in place the
recommendations of these policies is disconcerting and would explain the lack of
transformation and CSR initiatives in the SA tourism sector. Managers must
understand what RTM is before they are able to successfully adapt their business
operations and manage them in a more responsible manner.
A further reason inhibiting the adoption of RTM is the scepticism of the
tourism industry towards the efficiency and support of government. Figure 5.5
shows that only 17 per cent of respondents perceived government as being
helpful in advancing RTM practices. These negative perceptions influence to
what extent individuals believe it to be worthwhile to change. Social marketing
campaigns aimed at encouraging recycling, for example, are only effective if
people believe that their collected waste will be recycled and that this action will
benefit the environment (Kotler et al, 2002, p53). Gilg et al (2005) and Yaman
and Gurel (2006) demonstrated that for RTM to be effective and transformation
to take place, it is imperative that businesses believe that government is support-
ing them.
Van der Merwe and Wöcke's (2007) research suggests that hotels belonging
to an industry association such as the FTTSA have a far better understanding of
CSR and responsible tourism. Frey (2007a), however, found that whilst this was
true, the general percentage of tourism businesses belonging to the FTTSA or
entering the Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards (IRTA) is relatively low. Indeed,
Frey (2007a) noted that only 14 per cent (29 businesses) indicated that they have
been able to meet the FTTSA's stringent criteria. FTTSA currently has a total of
30 companies carrying their accreditation. Whilst this is a step in the right direc-
tion, qualitative research highlighted that tourism businesses considered the
FTTSA criteria too difficult to attain or unnecessary (Table 5.2).
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