Tools and Resources

Embrace Sustainability, Empower Change: As the African Travel and Tourism Association, we are committed to fostering a culture of sustainability that preserves the rich natural and cultural heritage of Africa for generations to come. By utilizing these resources, you are contributing to a more responsible and mindful travel industry—one that thrives while respecting the delicate balance of our ecosystems and the diverse communities we serve.

Embark on a journey of knowledge, action, and transformation. Explore our carefully curated selection of sustainability resources and take the first step towards shaping a brighter future for African travel and tourism.

Global Sustainability Frameworks

Discover international organizations, partnerships, and networks that offer a panoramic view of global sustainability policies, concerns, and actions. Gain access to reports and information that illuminate the path towards a more sustainable future for tourism.

Comprehensive Guidance

Delve into a wide range of topics, each accompanied by comprehensive guidance. Our carefully selected resources cover everything from responsible tourism practices to eco-friendly accommodation solutions. You'll find actionable steps to implement sustainable changes in your operations.

Global Relevance with an African Focus

While the information we offer holds global applicability, we take pride in spotlighting African contexts. Our resources incorporate references and examples from the diverse landscapes, cultures, and challenges that make up the African travel and tourism experience.

Best Practices

Promote Local Community Involvement

Encourage the active participation of local communities in the tourism industry. This can be achieved by creating platforms for locals to showcase their culture, traditions, and crafts. By involving them in decision-making processes and offering economic benefits, the industry can empower local communities and ensure that tourism benefits are shared more equitably.

Emphasize conservation and wildlife protection

African countries are abundant with diverse ecosystems and incredible wildlife. It is crucial to prioritize conservation efforts and promote sustainable wildlife tourism. This involves implementing responsible tourism practices such as limiting the number of visitors in protected areas, providing education on wildlife protection, and supporting anti-poaching initiatives.

Support eco-friendly accommodations

Encourage the development and promotion of eco-friendly accommodations such as eco-lodges and sustainable resorts. These establishments should incorporate renewable energy sources, waste management systems, and water conservation practices. Additionally, they can collaborate with local suppliers for sourcing food and other resources, thereby supporting the local economy.

Promote responsible tour operators

Encourage travelers to choose responsible tour operators that prioritize sustainability. These operators should adhere to sustainable tourism practices, promote local experiences, respect wildlife and cultural heritage, and contribute to community development. Certifications or accreditation programs can be established to identify and promote such operators.

Raise awareness and educate tourists

Educate tourists about sustainable tourism practices and the importance of respecting local cultures, wildlife, and the environment. This can be done through social media, pre and post-trip communication, website resources, and other digital media platforms. Encourage responsible behavior, such as proper waste disposal, respecting wildlife habitats, and supporting local businesses.

Foster collaboration and partnerships

Encourage and participate in collaborations between government bodies, local communities, NGOs, and private sector entities. This collaboration can facilitate the development and implementation of sustainable tourism policies, conservation projects, and community-based initiatives. By working together, stakeholders can leverage their expertise and resources to create a more sustainable tourism industry.

Support cultural preservation

African countries have rich cultural heritage, which should be protected and preserved. Encourage the promotion of cultural experiences that respect and preserve local traditions, arts, and crafts. This can be achieved through cultural festivals, museums, and artisan markets that showcase and support local artisans.

Develop sustainable tourism strategies

Governments and tourism authorities and private businesses should develop comprehensive strategies and policies that prioritize sustainability. These strategies should encompass environmental, social, and economic aspects of sustainability, addressing issues such as resource management, community development, and fair distribution of tourism benefits.

Monitor and evaluate impact

Regularly monitor and evaluate the impact of tourism activities on the environment, local communities, and wildlife. This will help identify areas that need improvement and inform decision-making processes. Transparent reporting and sharing of data will enable stakeholders to make informed decisions and take necessary actions to ensure long-term sustainability.

By implementing these measures, the African tourism industry can become more sustainable, benefiting both the environment and local communities while providing an authentic and responsible travel experience for tourists.

Sustainable Resources

WTM Responsible Tourism Africa

WTM Africa’s Responsible Tourism Awards champion the best work in Responsible Tourism on the continent. Join our celebration of those devoted to sustainability and consistently generate positive influence and set exemplary standards. The primary goal of these awards is to unearth, acknowledge, and promote good practice. These prestigious awards demonstrate how businesses and destinations are fostering transformation and spearheading innovative initiatives centred around the welfare and sustainability of tourism.

Switch Africa Green

Since 2014, the program has been supporting African countries in their transition towards sustainable development, supporting policymakers, business and non-state actors in making the switch to sustainable consumption and production practices that also generate growth, create decent jobs and reduce poverty. The programme has a wide range of stakeholders, including national and local government representatives, regional economic communities, other programmes under the European Union’s SWITCH to green initiative.

The programme is designed to support and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 12 on responsible consumption and production in Africa and has been very active working with multi stakeholders in the tourism sector to support public-private partnerships and increase tourism certification schemes regionally by country. This has successfully already been implemented in Kenya and recently launched in Uganda.

Fairtrade international

Fairtrade international:

Fairtrade changes the way trade works through better prices, decent working conditions and a fairer deal for farmers and workers in developing countries. As a leader in the global movement to make trade fair, Fairtrade supports and challenges businesses and governments while connecting farmers and workers with the people who buy their products.

By choosing Fairtrade, people can create change through their everyday actions.

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements:

With members in over 100 countries and territories as well as regional bodies and sector platforms, they foster the broad adoption of truly sustainable agriculture, value chains, and consumption in line with the principles of organic agriculture. Through their work, they build capacity to facilitate the transition of farmers to organic agriculture, raise awareness of the need for sustainable production and consumption, and advocate for a policy environment conducive to agro-ecological farming practices and sustainable development

Marine Stewardship Council international

Marine Stewardship Council international:

Their mission is to use their ecolabel and fishery certification program to contribute to the health of the world’s oceans by recognising and rewarding sustainable fishing practices, influencing the choices people make when buying seafood and working with partners to transform the seafood market to a sustainable basis.

SASSI List

SASSI List:

To support consumers in understanding their sustainable seafood options, SASSI provides a few easy-to-use tools that categorise seafood species according to a ‘traffic light’ system of red, orange and green. These tools include a credit card-sized pocket guide, a free app and a mobile SMS service, aptly named FishMS.

Rainforest Alliance

Rainforest Alliance:

The Sustainable Agriculture Standard, along with its assurance and technology systems, are designed to deliver more value to the more than four million farmers and workers and thousands of businesses that use Rainforest Alliance certification to drive more sustainable agricultural production and responsible supply chains.

World Cetacean Alliance

Their mission is to protect whales, dolphins, and porpoises through a connected community of people with expertise, capacity, and resources. The WCA was created with the explicit purpose of bringing together organisations and people to create an integrated model for cetacean conservation and protection.

Green Fins

Green Fins:

Green Fins is a proven conservation management approach – implemented internationally by The Reef-World Foundation and the UN Environment Programme – which leads to a measurable reduction in the negative environmental impacts associated with marine tourism. It aims to protect coral reefs through environmentally friendly guidelines promoting sustainable diving and snorkelling. It provides the only internationally recognised environmental standards for marine tourism and its robust assessment system measures compliance.

ECPACT UK

ECPACT UK:

Every Child Protected Against Trafficking is a leading children's rights organisation working to protect children from trafficking and transnational exploitation. We support children everywhere to uphold their rights and to live a life free from abuse and exploitation.

The Code

The Code:

The Code (short for The Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism) is a multi-stakeholder initiative with the mission to provide awareness, tools and support to the travel and tourism industry to prevent the sexual exploitation of children. The Code is a voluntary set of criteria that members commit to, to keep children safe.

UNICEF

UNICEF works in the world’s toughest places to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents – and to protect the rights of every child, everywhere. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we do whatever it takes to help children survive, thrive and fulfill their potential, from early childhood through adolescence.

World Tourism Assoc for Culture and Heritage

The World Tourism Association for Culture and Heritage (WTACH) is the global authority on the protection and preservations of cultural heritage assets through the development of responsible, sustainable and ethical tourism practices and policies.

As a globally recognised and respected NGO we bring together public, private, community-based and specialist academic sector organisations to assist Governments, Donors, Destinations and the Tourism sector as a whole, achieve their long-term goals and objectives whilst minimising the risks associated with inadequate or ineffective Cultural Heritage Tourism (CHT) planning.

Sustainable Brands

Sustainable Brands:

Sustainable Brands is a community of thought leaders and innovators who are working to create a more sustainable future. Their website is full of articles, webinars, and other resources to help individuals and businesses learn about sustainable practices and how to implement them.

GreenBiz

GreenBiz:

GreenBiz is a media company focused on sustainable business practices. Their website features articles, podcasts, and other resources on a wide range of sustainability-related topics, from renewable energy to circular economy.

The Climate Reality Project

The Climate Reality Project:

The Climate Reality Project is a non-profit organization founded by former Vice President Al Gore. Their website is a great resource for learning about climate change and what we can do to mitigate its effects.

Project Drawdown:

Project Drawdown is the world’s leading resource for climate solutions. From individual action to international finance and beyond, Project Drawdown is accelerating the adoption of climate solutions around the world in partnership with corporate leaders, investors, philanthropists, policymakers, educators, community change makers, and more.

World Wildlife Fund

World Wildlife Fund:

The World Wildlife Fund is a conservation organization that works to protect endangered species and their habitats. Their website features information on sustainability and environmental issues, as well as ways individuals can get involved in conservation efforts.

By visiting these websites and others like them, you can stay informed and educated on sustainability, and work towards creating a more sustainable future for ourselves and generations to come.

Resource Library for Capacity Building

Green Reading

Wanderlust – How to Travel Guilt Free: Essential Tips for Ethical Travellers By Hazel Plush/Wanderlust
The Responsible Traveller By Karen Edwards
Sustainable Travel – The Essential Guide to Positive-Impact Adventures By Holly Tuppen
The Flightless Traveller By Emma Gregg
Zero Altitude By Helen Coffey