Launching Responsible Tourism Tanzania

1. Launching Responsible Tourism Tanzania Seminar Coffee Lodge 2nd June 2011

2. We do not inherit the Earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.

3. What is responsible tourism? Responsible Tourism is tourism ‘that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit’.

4. Why are we doing this? • Protect Tanzania’s future tourism industry and heritage • Market trends • Leader in sub-Sahara Africa? • Credit for your efforts • It’s the right thing to do

5. Where we have come from? • Travelers Philanthropy Conference 2008 • TNRF seminar Karibu 2009-community based tourism • Roundtable 2010: outcome of this roundtable was to develop an association with guidelines + certification • Partners: RTA, HGF, MNRT, HAT, ZATI, the partners who have been involved until to-date.

6. Where we are now? • Guidelines- the development guidelines using GSTC • Logo development and certification branding • Development of a website providing tools and help • Formation of Association. Currently doing research into the process.

7. Our Vision Responsible Tourism Tanzania is about encouraging and promoting a more sustainable tourism industry within Tanzania. It stands for protecting and caring for the diverse cultures of the country, as well as its natural environment, whilst optimizing on business and economic sustainability. It aspires to support and communicate a positive impression of Tanzanian tourism, both locally and for the global market. Responsible Tourism Tanzania believes that the best in Tanzanian tourism is yet to come.

8. Our Mission • Responsible Tourism Tanzania mission will be to support and guide the tourism industry to a holistic management approach by providing: • Internationally accepted standards and guidelines with a clear set of practical ideas to introduce the tourism enterprises to a sustainable management approach. • An auditing and evaluation process that will help guide the tourism venture to improving their actions and the product. • A certification scheme with the branding for recognition of the company’s efforts and successes • Lobbying and advocacy on behalf of the tourism industry to develop policies and regulations within Tanzania for the sustainability of the resources and cultures and people. • Information and practical ideas, tools as well as training to assist the tourism enterprises to practice and participate responsible tourism. • Promoting the responsible tourism operators and products in Tanzania to the international tourism market.

9. What next- immediate? • Complete the association. • Membership- who is a members & how to take on members • Complete guidelines accommodation sector • Certification- description of certification levels and lowest level (seed) will be issued towards the end of the year. • A round of audits- for Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti

10. Guideline themes • 4 themes or areas of focus • Sustainable business • Social economic • Cultural heritage • Environmental

11. A sample guideline • A.5.1  EMPLOYMENT • A CLEAR EMPLOYMENT POLICY IS IN PLACE THAT OUTLINES EMPLOYEES’ RIGHTS AND COMPENSATES EMPLOYEES FAIRLY. • A clear employment structure allows each employee to be fully aware of his/her responsibility, which enhances teamwork, and optimizes the performance of your human resources. It also gives employees motivation to develop an area of expertise in your company. In addition, a fair remuneration scheme that outlines clearly employees’ rights could boost the morale and efficiency of your workforce. • ⇑ Practical Tips • Base employment decisions on the candidates’ fit for the vacancy, not their gender, age, religion or tribe • Clearly outline the role and responsibility of each employee and provide appropriate training, tools and equipments • Respect employees’ freedom of association and other worker rights • Clearly outline the company’s remuneration scheme, including compensations, benefits (including tip schemes), paid leave and days off • Follow at LEAST the minimum wage policies in Tanzania > link to Tanzanian Labor Law

12. What next- immediate? • Complete the association. • Membership- who is a members & how to take on members • Complete guidelines accommodation sector • Certification- description of certification levels and lowest level (seed) will be issued towards the end of the year. • A round of audits- and Serengeti for Tarangire, Ngorongoro

13. Certification levels • Use the tree as our symbol • 4 levels certification • Seed- entry level starts NOW • Sapling- incorporated into day to day • Tree- fully integrated • Fruit- changing others • Develop over time- • Special interests- trekking, walking, cultural.

14. What next- immediate? • Complete the association. • Membership- who is a members & how to take on members • Complete guidelines accommodation sector • Certification- description of certification levels and lowest level (seed) will be issued towards the end of the year. • A round of introductory audits- for properties within National parks and NCAA. • Co operational framework with Travellife

15. What next- distant horizon? • Develop guidelines for Tour Operators, Airlines, Car Hires, Arts/ Handicraft Shops, mountain trekking, cultural tourism etc • Develop certification levels- sapling, tree & fruit • Training and workshops • Marketing

16. Any questions? • What is your vision? • Will you participate (commit)? • How can this be sustainable? • Interim board members?

17. Thanks info@rttz.org www.rttz.org