The wider range of packages now available creates a real possibility for Swiss consumers to extend their ethical purchase decisions beyond Fairtrade coffee, bananas and other commodities, to also include the option of choosing a holiday that benefits people and the environment. The Swiss tour operators that have pioneered the development of Fair Trade holiday packages are Dreamtime Travel, Kuoni Travel Ltd and Reise Service Imagine.

All components of the Fair Trade holiday packages to South Africa (tour operator/s, activities and accommodation) as well as all contractual relationships between the various businesses have been audited against Fair Trade Tourism standards, and the certification system has been officially endorsed by South African Tourism.

"Switzerland maintains its role of a pioneer for Fair Trade Tourism by tripling the offering of Fair Trade packages on the market in one year. We congratulate Reise Service Imagine, Kuoni Reisen AG and Dreamtime Travel on their commitment to make tourism more sustainable and fair for workers, small businesses and communities in South Africa", says Christine Plüss, Director of the Fair Trade Tourism partner in Switzerland, arbeitskreis tourismus & entwicklung (akte). 

FTTSA, South Africa’s leading responsible tourism NGO, has pioneered Fair Trade Tourism in South Africa over the past decade, having launched a product certification programme in 2003. According to Jennifer Seif, Executive Director of FTTSA, the inclusion of trade standards within the FTTSA programme is designed to ensure that workers and affected communities benefit from tourism through long-term trading relationships, full prepayment and binding cancellation agreements. Fair Trade Tourism also monitors that commissions and contractual agreements are fair, creating a better deal for small and emerging tourism service providers. The fact that accommodation and activities in the packages are FTTSA-certified means that local social, economic and environmental impacts are managed equitably and responsibly resulting in net benefits for workers, small businesses and communities. 

An additional amount (called a premium) is incorporated into the retail price of each holiday package and channelled into a cooperatively managed fund. The fund is responsible for investing premium monies in socio-economic development projects that will improve the quality of life of Fair Trade Tourism beneficiaries. Seif adds that FTTSA will from next year lead a programme of work to scale up the supply of Fair Trade Tourism products and packages. A continuation of the collaboration with the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) is currently being discussed. Ultimately, FTTSA hopes that the model developed from southern Africa will provide a basis for creating a worldwide Fair Trade label for tourism.

“Dreamtime Travel wants to play an active role in promoting sustainable and fair Tourism. We are pleased to be one of the pioneers in offering certified Fair Trade packages to South Africa and to enhance a tourism form, which has a positive impact on local societies as well as on the preservation of nature, key factors in modern tourism. The package, which focuses on touristic highlights as well as cultural visits, is ideal for first and repetitive travellers to South Africa, who would like to experience something extraordinary in many perspectives”. 
Claudio Juen, Dreamtime: Manager Africa & South America

"As part of its Corporate Responsibility programme, Kuoni has been committed to sustainable tourism for many years. We believe our Fair Trade package to South Africa (available through our Ananea brochure) provides travellers with a wide variety of exciting holiday experiences whilst at the same time offering travellers the chance to support workers and businesses in South Africa." 
Matthias Leisinger, Kuoni Travel Ltd: Head of Corporate Responsibility

“Reise Service Imagine has been selling FTTSA-certified products since 2003. Over the years we have experienced that customers are very happy with these products – quality and value for money is always an argument – but very often we also get the feedback that the customers found excellent and happy employees at these properties. We now offer 4 small Fair Trade packages that can fit in any itinerary - with prices beginning at CHF 540.- per person”. 
Heinz Hirter, Reise Service Imagine: Owner

ENDS

The Fair Trade holiday packages are marketed in Switzerland under the below label:

Currently, Fair Trade Tourism holiday packages are available in Switzerland, Germany and the UK; and packages are being developed in the Netherlands, Sweden and France for launch early 2012. 

For additional information and technical details: www.fairtourismsa.org.za

For information about the holiday packages:

Dreamtime Travel Fair Reisen mit Dreamtime
Kuoni Travel Ltd Fair Reisen auf der Garden Route 
Reise Service Imagine Fair Trade travel durch Südafrika

For information about project partners: 
SECO www.seco.admin.ch
arbeitskreis tourismus & entwicklung (akte) www.fairunterwegs.org
South African Tourism www.southafrica.net

or contact:
Katarina Mancama, FTTSA Project Manager
+27 (0)12 342 2945
katarina@fairtourismsa.org.za