PRETORIA – The Department of Tourism in collaboration with the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA) held a certification ceremony to recognise youth who completed the Tourism Resource Efficiency Training Programme (RETP).
Initiated in 2013, the Tourism Resource Efficiency Programme equips the youth with resource efficient and cleaner production methodologies to manage energy, water, environmental, and financial resources, to reduce waste, emissions, and their environmental impact.
Twenty-one (21) youth participated in a 24-month programme that entailed theoretical and on-the-job training that was supported by mentorship from the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA).
The Tourism Resource Efficiency training programme is aligned to the National Tourism Sector Strategy (NTSS) that seeks to amplify responsible tourism practices that contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of the sector.
Speaking at the event, Chief Director of Enterprise Development at the Department of Tourism, Mr. Sibonelo Nzimande emphasised the importance of greening programmes and initiatives in sustaining the tourism sector. He further added that the skills that the youth have gained will go a long way to ensure that the Department attains its goals to increase the uptake of greening and responsible tourism practices among businesses in the tourism sector.
“The Tourism Resource Efficiency Programme is closely linked to the green tourism and climate change goals that are espoused in the UN Tourism Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”
“We have a responsibility to conserve and protect our natural resources and the planet. Through this programme, we can promote responsible tourism practices and consumption, and the protection of the environment whilst contributing to the reduction of the sector’s carbon footprint.”
“Your skills will contribute immensely to assisting the Department to attain its objectives to increase the uptake of businesses in the Green Tourism Incentive programme (GTIP). As certified RECP practitioners, you will enable us to fast-track the assessments and the compliance of businesses who have elected to adopt green and responsible tourism practices through the GTIP,” Mr. Sibonelo Nzimande said.
ENDS.
Department of Tourism:
Ms. Tasneem Carrim - Chief Director: Communication and Spokesperson
Department of Tourism
Tel: 082 467 9227
Email: tcarrim@tourism.gov.za