Announcement: Responsible Tourism in Cities http://planeta.wikispaces.com/rtcities

1. announcement
and invitation:
save the date!
Responsible Tourism in Cities Mini-Conference
6 MAY 2011 – THE DAY BEFORE INDABA OPENS
VENUE: Albert Luthuli Convention Centre (Durban ICC), Durban, South Africa
DATE: One day only, 6 May 2011
TIME: 08h30 – 16h00, tbc.
COST: Free of charge. Registration spaces limited.
Engage with Responsible Tourism issues unique to city destinations
Cities are key tourism destinations and tourism draw cards for nations. Cities are also home to more than half of South Africa's
population, and so are crucial sites for sustainable development. While Responsible Tourism (RT) is central to South Africa's
tourism policy and a key trend in tourism globally, little focus has been placed on the needs and challenges faced by cities to
become sustainable destinations and to implement RT. Local governments sit at the intersection of tourism and develop-
ment, and face particular challenges. But tourism requires effective partnerships among government, local communities and
the private sector in order to thrive.
This conference approaches the issues at two different levels.
+ The morning sessions will help city officials, community organizations, the private sector, academics, NGOs,
activists and other stakeholders understand some of the key issues underlying RT in cities, and will equip them with
knowledge and resources to help make a positive contribution toward implementing RT in their city destination.
+ The afternoon sessions will focus on more practical, operational matters pertaining to the tourism private sector,
including SMMEs, larger established businesses and corporate multi-nationals, when adopting,
implementing, managing and marketing RT, supported by case studies presented by experienced industry members.
Presentations will be broadcast in real time via the web allowing for simultaneous virtual participation
by delegates around the world.
Questions will be submitted and parallel discussion will take place via Twitter in real time.
Optional morning and afternoon visits to Responsible Tourism initiatives in the City of Ethekwini (Durban) will be available.
FREE! Register now – limited capacity
WEB: www.responsiblecapetown.co.za
CELL: 083 508 1066
E-MAIL: RTinCities@ResponsibleCapeTown.co.za

2. Programme Themes
Themes Morning Afternoon
1. What cities can and cannot do well with regards to What resources are available from local authorities? How businesses can best
The roles of city tourism, RT, and sustainability. How are city functions engage with government to tap them.
governments (local linked to responsible tourism (e.g., planning, zoning, How do local authorities affect tourism businesses and their destination? What
authorities) in health, security, education, etc.)? What levers are are common misperceptions about the roles of local authorities and tourism?
Responsible Tourism available and how can they be used effectively? What How are laws and regulations changing that will affect tourism businesses? Are
kinds of policies can work? How long does it take and public amenities (parks, pools, etc.) subject to the same rules as the private
how much does it cost? ones?
2. Marketing and selling city-based RT experiences; how Where is the demand for RT coming from, in which markets, and who to tap
Cities, Responsible RT impacts on a destination brand; promoting a those markets? What are the routes to market for RT products? What difference
Tourism and the “responsible” destination; understanding the RT does certification make in the marketplace? How to balance RT messages in the
marketplace consumer in South Africa's core target markets. marketing mix. How to balance sustainable destination information with
product-specific content.
3. What are the particular financial issues associated with What does implementing and managing RT really cost? Does RT ever pay back
The business case for implementing RT and adhering to RT management that in financial terms? What are practical ways of getting started, and what are
Responsible Tourism are faced by the tourism private sector? What is proven phased approaches to getting there? Where can I find quality suppliers
different about being city-based? Are there different and vendors to assist me? What are fair prices to pay? Are there programmes to
cost, risks or opportunities for taking responsible action help offset these costs (e.g., SWH, CFLs, etc.)? What about financing? Will there
by operators and facility managers, accommodation be negative financial implications or penalties for non-compliance – what does
and service providers? What real data can we learn compliance mean? Will include case studies presented by experienced industry
from? Do investors, managers, corporates and others members.
view the financials of RT differently, and if so, how and
why?
4. Who are the key stakeholders in city-based tourism and Should RT certified businesses network separately or together with all tourism
Effective destination- what are the roles they can play? What structures and businesses? For RT, is the key tourism cluster alignment local, regional, national
wide collaboration on mechanisms for collaboration can work? How can or by product type or by RT focus? How do RT issues fit into the overall tourism
Responsible Tourism communities play a more effective role? How can industry agenda? What are the roles that others can and should play, and how
academic, policy, community and business interests be do we hold one another accountable? What is best practice? How is 'success'
co-ordinated, and greater trust built? measured? How do businesses ensure they are getting value for membership
and participation?
Format
Delegates planning to attend will be required to register for the morning and/or afternoon sessions specifically (note that both sessions can be attended).
The morning 4 sessions will each be in the following format:
+ A brief contextual overview
+ 15 minute engaging TED-like multi-media presentation by an authoritative speaker focusing on one or more key issues
+ 25 minute moderated roundtable discussion with the speaker and 2 – 3 additional experts. Questions will be taken from the audience throughout.
The afternoon 4 sessions will be hands-on with a break between first two sessions and the second two.
A lunch break will be provided with light finger lunch. Delegates will need to indicate whether they would like to include lunch as part of their registration.
All sessions and lunch will be provided at no cost on a first-come basis.
ORGANISING SPONSOR | City of CapeTown SUPPORTING ORGANISATIONS | CapeTownTourism
Cape Town has had a longstanding commitment to Responsible Tourism. Though the journey to become a truly Cape Town Tourism is the City of Cape Town's Official
responsible destination is far from complete, the city is recognized internationally as a leader in adopting and Regional Tourism Organisation, responsible for
implementing RT. destination marketing, visitor and industry services.
In 2002 the first International Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was held in Cape Town, with the Cape Town Tourism has a robust product
ratified Cape Town Declaration becoming the world's definition for responsible tourism. Since that time, RT has development programme that helps link local
become the foundation of the City's Tourism Development Framework and an official policy has been adopted by product with market insights and demand, one of
City Council, committing all of the resources and structures of the Municipality to adopt an RT approach. many programmes provided for the tourism industry.
The Cape Town Visitor Strategy is recognised by the
The City also formalized its commitments to the local tourism industry, signing an RT Charter with Cape Town
United Nations World Tourism Organisation as the
Tourism, SAACI, SATSA and Fedhasa, and partnered effectively with the Provincial Government in implementing
world's best. Cape Town Tourism is focused on
Host City Cape Town's Green Goal 2010™ action plan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. These partners have
growing Cape Town as one of the world's greatest
implemented many RT initiatives of their own, with Cape Town home to more Fair Trade in Tourism-certified
cities to visit, live, work, study and invest in and as a city
businesses than any other city in South Africa, and over 1000 local tourism businesses accredited to meet minimum
leader for Africa.
RT-aligned criteria. As a result of these efforts, Cape Town was recognised globally as the “Best Destination” in the
2009 ResponsibleTourism Awards, the first city to ever be granted such an honour.
The City is looking to build its relationships and networks for implementing RT, to gain insight from the expertise of
others on issues pertaining specifically to cities, to share its own lessons learned, and to partner with other South
African cities.