The Peace Parks Foundation and Satsa are the founding partners of the Tourism Conservation Fund.
The fund was launched to Satsa members at this year’s conference with the aim of supporting large-scale and long-term projects, and to deliver real socio-economic benefits to rural communities surrounding South Africa’s protected areas. Contributions to the fund are tax deductible and voluntary.
Projects include, but are not limited to: Engaging in conservation, rehabilitation or protection of the natural environment and threatened wildlife species; promoting anti-poverty initiatives through community-based projects relating to self-help, empowerment, capacity building and skills development; providing training, support or assistance to community-based projects, or emerging micro-enterprises to improve capacity and chances for success; and promoting environmental awareness.
Q – David, Satsa recently launched the Tourism Conservation Fund at the Spier Congress. How is progress and response from the trade?
A – Live the Journey approached me with a brilliant and innovative concept that I simply have to share…It’s called The Great Escape and it’s geared towards raising funds for the Tourism Conservation Fund exclusively from the tour operator side of the industry. The progress of the fund is going very well, it was a bit challenging to register the fund at SARS to make it a tax-deductible fund but we have overcome that obstacle as well. The new CEO of the fund will be revealed shorty and he will also be joining us at The Great Escape. We really urge Satsa members to think of an amount they feel comfortable to donate next year as they will be able to deduct it from their tax and the fund will really be coming alive in 2018!
Q – I know there was a banner recently about The Great Escape on Tourism Update. Can you tell us more about this?
A – I was sworn to secrecy so can’t say too much. However, if I was tour operator in Cape Town and surrounds, I would tread carefully on November 30. There is a tourism SWAT team out for justice and they mean business! I have to admit that although the tourism penitentiary is housed in one of the premier, beachfront settings in town, staff at the office have to play their part in your release proceedings. As far as I know, judgement has been passed, summons was issued, so keep your eyes peeled – these enforcers are coming for you!
Q – Sounds exciting, please tell us little bit more? At least why it has been organised and by whom?
A – The team from Live the Journey came up with the idea and formed a dedicated Great Escape team to run with the project. Head warden, Rijan Visser was adamant when he said, “It’s just a fun, crazy idea to support a great cause! So many negative aspects have weighed down the industry over the last two years, like visas, immigration lines at the airport, unabridged birth certificates et al, that it’s refreshing to just pull the operators together to network on a social platform and give back in the process."
Q – Any plans to make this an annual event and possibly allow other major tourist cities to take part?
A – The guys at Live the Journey subscribe to the slogan ‘the more, the merrier!’ so in terms of the event blowing up and becoming a tourism industry institution – that's definitely the goal. Not giving too much away, but this event has been described to me as "Joe Cools (in its peak) on steroids!" A small team of VIP suppliers from the trade worked closely with the team to make it all possible, but you’ll have to attend to see the end-result!
Q – I take it you’ll be attending?
A- Tourism is my passion, and to see the trade coming up with ideas like this truly excites me and just reaffirms that we are fortunate to be a part of a great industry. So YES, I will be there for sure! A special treat too will be Colin Bell – the fund was his brainchild – as well as the newly appointed CEO of Peace Parks, who will also join us.
If you are a tour operator or supplier and you are not involved or don’t know about the event, you are missing out!
You can contact the team at guy@the-greatescape.co.za
