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Learners received credentials in the field of responsible tourism practices
Learners received credentials in the field of responsible tourism practices
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Elizabeth Thabethe, today officiated a certification ceremony in Cape Town for 17 youth who successfully completed the Tourism Resource Efficiency Training Programme of the Department of Tourism.

“We are extremely proud of the 17 Responsible Tourism Ambassadors that are being awarded certificates today, and trust that they will continue to conscientise all of us to preserve the limited natural resources we are custodians of for future generations and impact the entire tourism value-chain positively,” stated the Deputy Minister. 

Initiated in 2017, the Tourism Resource Efficiency Training initiative is funded by the Green Tourism Incentive Programme, and forms part of the greater National Tourism Sector Strategy objective to promote responsible tourism practices in the sector. 

Implemented in partnership with the National Cleaner Production Centre – South Africa (NCPC – SA), the training comprised of a week of theoretical training and six months of on the job training - with mentorship facilitated by the organisation. 

“As an environment friendly and conscience government that has not only identified the urgent need to rethink destination planning and development strategies, this certification of trainees that have completed theoretical training on the tourism resource efficiency and the fundamentals of energy management attest to the fact that the government has embraced and acted towards greening of tourism,” said Deputy Minister Thabethe. 

Tourism Resource Efficiency Trainee, Ms Sanelisiwe Lengisi conveyed her gratitude to the Department for the opportunity to be part of the training programme. 

“As trainees we gained knowledge about saving water, using energy efficiently and reducing waste. We took this information about energy efficiency and cleaner production to our host establishments. They are now doing a great job at saving water and using energy efficiently,” said Ms Lengisi. 

The NCPC-SA Director of the Industrial Resource Efficiency Programme, Mr Ndivhuho Raphulu stated that the Tourism Resource Efficiency Training Programme came at a time when there is a great focus on tourism sustainable.

“The Tourism Resource Efficiency Training Programme gives these trainees an opportunity to assist us in growing the tourism market. Their skills will help position South Africa as a unique destination which offers accommodation which is energy efficient and uses renewable energy especially in a time when South Africa has an energy capacity shortage,’” said Rhaphulu. 

The NCPC-SA also announced that Tourism Resource Efficiency trainees nationally will attend a two-day course in Energy Management System to advance their skills.
 
Forty-seven unemployed trainees from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape (Mthata - 25 February 2019) and Free State (Qwaqwa - 28 February) will receive Resource Efficient and Cleaner Production certificates over the next week. 

Enquiries:

Mr Blessing Manale
Chief Director Communications and Departmental Spokesperson
Department of Tourism
Telephone: +27 (0) 12 444 6607
Cell: +27 (0) 66 487 8867