Zorgvliet Portfolio practices responsible tourism in South Africa

Responsible tourism in South Africa is the new popular word in the travel and hospitality industry. Zorgvliet Portfolio practices responsible tourism in South Africa using the various categories and criteria stipulated by the Responsible Tourism Handbook including social, economical, environmental and waste management.

Environmental Responsibility

The Responsible Tourism in South Africa Handbook declares that “tourism developments have had a substantial impact on the natural world. From the visual impact of hotel and resort complexes to noise and air pollution from increased traffic, contamination of water supplies and the loss of natural habitats, tourism has played its role in destroying the natural environment.

The Responsible Tourism in South Africa Handbook’s environmental guidelines state that businesses should “reduce environmental impacts when developing tourism, use natural resources in a sustainable way, maintain biodiversity and remove alien trees or plants to set up an indigenous garden”. The Zorgvliet Portfolio implements responsible tourism in South Africa by reducing negative impact on its environment with the following plans. This piece will profile the responsible tourism in South Africa that the Portfolio practices at two of its destinations, Riviera on Vaal Hotel & Country Club and Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa.

Riviera on Vaal Country Club’s responsible tourism in South Africa plan

• Blue Gum Eradication – the Country Club has a five year responsible tourism in South Africa plan to remove the Blue Gum trees surrounding its 18 hole golf course as these trees are not indigenous to this area. Riviera on Vaal Country Club has involved local businesses to help cut down the trees and in turn the businesses keep proceeds. The Country Club is paying for all expenses in this project. The left over wood will go to previously disadvantaged entrepreneurs to sell as firewood for a profit. The Blue Gums will be replaced with indigenous trees. The Riviera on Vaal Country Club also uses natural methods to prevent soil erosion i.e. rejuvenating new open areas, building a new road through the ninth hole to prevent erosion on the ninth and tenth holes.

Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa

Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa is promoting responsible tourism in South Africa by putting into practice the following strategies.

• Hunting is prohibited at Ka’Ingo as a result of environmental rehabilitation. A selection of proven forms of wildlife management have been applied, including: game naturally roaming the Reserve and intensive game farming managed fires to restore the veld and remove dead material to promote new growth.
• The Sable and Clean Buffalo Breeding Programmes and the safe introduction of lion, elephant and especially the rare cheetah, have all produced impressive results. Borehole management is imperative and water supplies are located in ecologically correct areas where rain water retention is maximised.
• Biosphere preservation is taken very seriously at Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa protecting precious reserves like water, fauna and flora. Providing sustainable employment to the local population while educating the community in Ecological Management is all internal to this process.
• The Waterberg Academy located at nearby Vaalwater, receives major funding from the Zorgvliet Portfolio and provides quality private education to all children including the underprivileged. The Academy produces remarkable results by focusing on the environment and educating children in traditional values, morals and ethics.
• Mass Tourism is a potential killer of the fragile Waterberg Biosphere and is not responsible tourism in South Africa. As a result Ka’Ingo Private Reserve & Spa limits its visitors to its Main Lodge. This ensures the Reserve remains pristine and the animal quotas are managed accordingly.