Tourism and Environmental Sustainability

Transcription

1 Tourism and Environmental Sustainability NATIONAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FORUM 03 AUGUST 2017

2 Presentation Outline 1. Purpose 2. Background 3. UN International Year Theme 4. Sustainable Tourism in SA 5. Sustainable Tourism Programmes / Projects 6. Key Sustainability Challenges 7. Recommendations 8. Key Stakeholders Youth TRE Training Limpopo 2

3 Purpose To present the Department of Tourism s environmental sustainability programmes; and To outline key areas of alignment between sustainable tourism and science & technology. 3

4 Background The Department of Tourism has a mandate to develop and grow sustainable tourism. The Department s mandate is derived from: The 1996 White Paper on Tourism Development and Promotion in South Africa; The 2011 National Tourism Sector Strategy (currently being revised); and The Tourism Act of The Department promotes knowledge and innovation as part of its mission. 4

5 UN International Year on Sustainable Tourism for Development The UN General Assembly has approved the adoption of 2017 as the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development. The International Year aims at promoting tourism s role in the following five key areas: Inclusive and sustainable economic growth. Social inclusiveness, employment and poverty reduction. Resource efficiency, environmental protection and climate change. Cultural values, diversity and heritage. Mutual understanding, peace and security. The Department has developed a programme to commemorate the theme throughout this year. 5

6 Sustainable Tourism in SA The Department has a Responsible Tourism programme The Responsible Tourism programme is divided into two sub programmes: Tourism and Environmental Efficiency; and Community Participation in Tourism; The tourism and environmental efficiency sub programme addresses issues of climate change and resource efficiency in tourism. The community participation sub programme addresses the inclusiveness of the tourism sector. 6

7 Sustainability Programmes/Projects The National Tourism and Climate Change Programme. Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Tourism Attractions. The Tourism Resource Efficiency Programme technology and training. The Tourism Environmental Implementation Plan (EIP). Guidelines for Community Based Tourism. Universal Accessibility of Tourism Products. 7

8 Sustainability Programmes / Projects continued 1. Solar Energy at State Owned Attractions Robben Island Museum solar photovoltaic micro-grid: kilowatt peak (kwp) solar PV plant with 828 kilowatt hours (kwh) batteries storage (4 to 6 hours) integrated with diesel generation system for backup. Project completed and in final testing phase. SANBI solar PV projects in three National Botanical Gardens (NBG): Karoo Desert NBG in Worcester (Western Cape): a 50kWp solar PV system tied to the municipal grid. Free State NBG in Bloemfontein (Free State): a 50kWp solar PV system tied to the municipal grid. Hantam NBG in Nieuwoudtville (Northern Cape): a 25 kwp off-grid solution with backup battery pack. All three projects completed. 8

9 Sustainability Programmes / Projects continued 1. Solar Energy at State Owned Attractions (continued.) SANParks solar PV projects at four sites in Kruger National Park: Skukuza rest camp: a 823kWp solar PV system connected to existing KNP/ Eskom grid. Lower Sabie rest camp: a 542kWp solar PV system connected to existing KNP/ Eskom grid. Nkuhlu picnic site: a 130 kwp off-grid solution with back-up battery pack. Tshokwane picnic site: a 130 kwp off-grid solution with back-up battery pack. Projects have commenced and completion expected end

10 Sustainability Programmes / Projects continued 2. Green Tourism Incentive Programme The NDT in collaboration with the IDC and the National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) is incentivising private sector tourism enterprises through a cost sharing grant to retrofit their facilities with cleaner and more efficient energy systems to reduce operational cost, ensure an uninterrupted visitor experience and reduce pressure on the national energy grid. The Green Tourism Incentive Programme will assist with the following: Subsidy of 90% of the cost of energy audits by a service provider accredited by the NCPC (National Cleaner Production Centre). Capped subsidy of between 30% to 90% on the cost of energy retrofitting as per the recommendations from energy audit. Subsidy percentage based on weighted score - Energy saving (40%), Transformation (40%) and Enterprise size (20%). Financing options for balance through SEFA and IDC. Fund value includes R162.5 million grant component over 3 years. 10

11 Key Sustainability Challenges The inefficient use of water resources. The inefficient use of energy. Improper waste management in tourism. Climate change impacts on tourism. Biodiversity loss. Illegal wildlife trade and poaching. Low participation of previously disadvantaged groups in tourism. 11

12 Sustainability, Science & Technology Recommendations: Need for more scientific studies on the impacts of climate change on tourism. Assessment of the role of scientific events in tourism. Implementation of technological solutions for resource efficiency water, energy, material and waste. Need for technological advances in sustainable transportation. Assessment of the role of green building designs in tourism sustainability. Technological advances to combat wildlife poaching. 12

13 Key Stakeholders Private Service Providers i.e. Energy Companies. Department of Transport. Department of Science and Technology. Science & Technology Associations. Academia and Research Institutions. Communities. 13

14 THANK YOU 14