New breakthrough standards for tourism
A group of 24 tourism related business owners, concerned about the ethical creation and fair distribution of wealth within the opportunities and limits of tourism businesses, have joined forces to implement a new system for tourism sustainability developed over the last ten years in South Africa.
The system, known as the Kontrei Concept, was developed in conjunction with the various tourism businesses and will now be implemented subject to audits according to international standards.
Wolfgang Huber of ISO-Logic, an expert in the implementation of quality management systems, says the Kontrei Concept is unique in his experience because normally institutions from outside supply the standards to which a business must comply. ISO-logic was started to support a wide range of industries in South Africa in implementing quality management systems. In the last 7 years the company has assisted more than 150 companies in obtaining ISO standard certification.
“In the case of the Kontrei Concept, a valid set of general criteria was supplied and the tourism businesses given the opportunity to perform on them according to their own management by objectives. ISO-Logic will know externally audit the performances according to international standards. As far as can be ascertained, this is the first time internationally that such audits according to international standards are applied to the tourism sector,” says Huber.
It follows, among others the 4C Kontrei Concept approach where the entrepreneur demonstrates responsibility towards sustainability, reporting via a valid set of strategic criteria (as a general tool) performing within the limits and opportunities in the (specific) place and kontrei (region) where the business is operated. This demonstrates that the meaning of sustainability is the same on a global level but it refers to something different due to specific place and Kontrei.
The model passed validity tests by staff members of the University of Stellenbosch Business School (USB) a statistically valid model, as a developmental economy model from The King’s University College, Alberta, Canada and as an environmental management model by the Department of Environmental Management, North West University, Potchefstroom.
The complete list of founder members who will be implementing these standards, is: Bakkrans Nature Reserve, Cederberg, Zomerlust Gastehuis, Paarl, 138 Marine Guest House, Hermanus, Avondrust Guest House, Saldanha Bay, Buffelshoek Guest Farm, Graaff- Reinet,Kleine Heimat Guest House,Graaff-Reinet, Minwater Eco Adventures, Oudtshoorn,Papkuilsfontein Guest Farm, Nieuwoudtville, Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse, Hermon, Muratie Wine Estate, Stellenbosch, Moolmanshof Guest House, Swellendam, Die Plaaskombuis, Farm Steenboksfontein, Lambert’s Bay, Ratelgat Griqua Farm, Van Rhynsdorp,Merwenstein Guest Farm, Bonnievale, Doornfontein Guest Farm, Velddrift, Slipway Restaurant and Schaafsma Charters, Saldanha Bay, Southern Cross Adventures, Springbok,Nuy vallei Restaurant and Guest Farm, Worcester,Civair Air Charters, Cape Town, Tanabaru Tours,Cape Town, Liebhen Tours, Paarl, Ganora Guest Farm, Nieu Bethesda,Marine Dynamics and Dyer Island Cruises, Kleinbaai and Kontrei Traveller, Paarl.
The members form part of the Kontrei Traveller Portfolio which serves as tour operator and sales agent for all the members.
This article was originally posted on Africa Travel - Tourism
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