Parker Cottage B&B and Oyster Bay Lodge are the two new Cape properties that have been Fair Trade Tourism certified.
Parker Cottage in Cape Town's Tamboerskloof is the fifth establishment in Cape Town to be certified. Owners, Phil Rendel and Liz Sayigh, acquired the 1895 Victorian cottages in 2008 and established it as a responsible tourism option. Parker Cottage offers co-finance for the education of staff members, provides hands-on support to social upliftment and educational programmes, sources products and services from local entrepreneurs, and ensures minimal impact on the environment in its operations.
The four-star Oyster Bay Lodge, in a coastal reserve in the Eastern Cape, has invested in energy-saving initiatives and provides financial, infrastructural and practical support to projects in the local township of Umzamowethu.
“We looked at a number of certification schemes and opted for Fair Trade Tourism due to its global credentials,” said owner and Managing Director, Hans Verstrate.
Jane Edge, Fair Trade Tourism Managing Director, commended Parker Cottage B&B for its work with communities, and Oyster Bay Lodge for its commitment to preserving the coastal environment and support of local communities.
