City of Cape Town Link

Responsible Tourism

<div class="ExternalClass6C639FA065BD4152847FC77BC9F9D205"><p>Simply put, responsible tourism is tourism that creates better places for people to live and to visit. Read more about the City's approach to responsible tourism below. </p></div>

<h2 class="sectHeading">What is ‘responsible tourism’? </h2><p>Cape Town is one of the world’s premier tourism destinations, with approximately 2 172, 836 international and domestic visitors in 2016 and R14,1 billion being spent by tourists in 2016. </p><p><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Graphics%20and%20educational%20material/CCT-Responsible-Tourism-Brochure.pdf" target="_blank">Download our Responsible Tourism Pamphlet</a>.</p><p>However, tourism is not just a means to economic growth; it’s also a field through which operators and tourism businesses can help create positive social, economic, cultural and environmental interactions in our country. Responsible tourism aims to meet these needs of tourists and the needs of our city. </p><p>Many tourists nowadays are also looking for a more unique travel experience and intimate relationship with the countries they visit. They also want to leave knowing that their trip or travel did not have any negative impact or effects on the people or the environment they were in.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Building responsible tourism, together</h2><p>We have supported the principles of responsible tourism since the <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Agreements%20and%20contracts/Toruism_RT_2002_Cape_Town_Declaration.pdf" target="_blank">Cape Town Declaration in 2002</a>, and the principles are included in our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/City%20strategies%2c%20plans%20and%20frameworks/Tourism%20Development%20Framework%20for%20the%20City%20of%20Cape%20Town.pdf" target="_blank">Tourism Development Framework (2013-2017)</a>. The City wants tourism businesses to develop more responsible business strategies and approaches, so that we can:</p><ul><li>minimise any negative economic, environmental and social effects of tourism;</li><li>generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well-being of host communities;</li><li>improve the working conditions of our industry;</li><li>involve local people in decisions that affect their lives;</li><li>makes positive contributions to the conservation of natural and cultural heritage;</li><li>embrace diversity; and</li><li>provide more enjoyable experiences for tourists through more meaningful connections with local people and environments. </li></ul><p>Our approach to tourism is linked to our approach to our economy and city at large, which is to build a city which is sustainable, secure and inclusive on all counts. We enable and co-coordinate leadership in the tourism sector by creating a supportive policy environment and rewarding those who deliver on our goals. </p><p> Read our <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Responsible%20Tourism%20Policy%20for%20the%20City%20of%20Cape%20Town%20-%20approved%20on%2026%20November%202009.pdf" target="_blank">Responsible Tourism (RT) Policy (2009)</a> and action plan in the document downloads section below to see how the City: </p><ul><li>helps facilitate the city-wide adoption and implementation of RT actions;</li><li>serves as a decision-making reference point for all divisions within the city;</li><li>serves as a decision-making reference point for external stakeholders; and</li><li>offers easy-to-use planning, management, product development and marketing ‘good practice’ guides and information to all tourism service providers. </li></ul><h2 class="sectHeading">Responsible Tourism Guide</h2><p>We have prepared a Responsible Tourism How-to Guide for all operators for easy reference, notes and sheets to guide and facilitate best, responsible practice. </p><p>The different sections of the guide are structured in a way that is simple and easy to read. Each section outlines our goals and associated issues, the actions businesses can take to operate more responsibly, and gives industry examples of good practice. We also recommend additional resources and provide a self-evaluation form to complete a self-assessment.</p><p> <a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Procedures%2c%20guidelines%20and%20regulations/Responsible-Tourism-in-Cape-Town_How-to-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">Download Responsible Tourism in Cape Town: How-to Guide</a></p><h2 class="sectHeading">Cape Town Tourism </h2><p>Cape Town tourism has an industry and media section designed to support operators in Cape Town with information and business tools. Visit the <a href="https://www.capetown.travel/" target="_blank">Cape Town Tourism website<i class="icon link-external"></i></a> to find out how to become a member of our tourism industry.</p><h2 class="sectHeading">Responsible Cape Town</h2><p>For the latest updates, documents and industry events, please visit the <a href="https://www.capetown.travel/travelwise/responsible-tourism/" target="_blank">Responsible Tourism Cape Town website<i class="icon link-external"></i></a>.</p>

Responsible tourism is tourism that creates better places for people to live and to visit.

Adventure Tourism Operators in Cape Town Study	Adventure Tourism Operators in Cape Town Study	2458618	GP0\|#9bcb1269-0710-4ee7-9438-c9bcb7648e34;L0\|#09bcb1269-0710-4ee7-9438-c9bcb7648e34\|Study;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#74dbb0ce-0b0a-42e0-958b-10ee25e7fefd;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2017-05-31T22:00:00Z
CT 2004 Tourism Development Framework: 2014 Executive Summary	CT 2004 Tourism Development Framework: 2014 Executive Summary	888551	GP0\|#38ca42a2-8f40-45d7-9984-cf6aafe63d51;L0\|#038ca42a2-8f40-45d7-9984-cf6aafe63d51\|Development framework;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2003-12-31T22:00:00Z
Cape Town Tourism Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations Declaration	Cape Town Tourism Conference on Responsible Tourism in Destinations Declaration	56331	GP0\|#255c73a6-7d1a-45e0-b69b-3eaf8e4ccbdf;L0\|#0255c73a6-7d1a-45e0-b69b-3eaf8e4ccbdf\|Declaration;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#45cfb7bc-c332-4e18-a638-3fa94d09d8ed;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2002-07-31T22:00:00Z
Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Cape Town: Phase 1	Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Cape Town: Phase 1	322606	GP0\|#2a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805;L0\|#02a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805\|Framework;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2010-05-31T22:00:00Z
Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Cape Town: Phase 2	Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Cape Town: Phase 2	1764524	GP0\|#2a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805;L0\|#02a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805\|Framework;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2010-09-30T22:00:00Z
Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Cape Town: Phase 3, 4 and 5	Cultural Heritage Tourism Strategy and Action Plan for Cape Town: Phase 3, 4 and 5	933614	GP0\|#2a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805;L0\|#02a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805\|Framework;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2012-12-31T22:00:00Z
Responsible Tourism Policy	Responsible Tourism Policy	393850	GP0\|#ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd;L0\|#0ecf0e702-25db-4c12-bbc2-be85db2304fd\|Policy;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#2d2209ac-5bcc-4d2a-9da9-05fb21c94ea1;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2009-11-26T10:00:00Z
Responsible Tourism for South Africa Handbook	Responsible Tourism for South Africa Handbook	1439332	GP0\|#dcc8214b-489e-4c99-a7e9-6bc8bda6e154;L0\|#0dcc8214b-489e-4c99-a7e9-6bc8bda6e154\|Handbook;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2002-06-30T22:00:00Z
Responsible Tourism in Cape Town: How-to Guide	Responsible Tourism in Cape Town: How-to Guide	27674165	GP0\|#f749725d-ab14-406b-b48c-cc026b5c49b1;L0\|#0f749725d-ab14-406b-b48c-cc026b5c49b1\|How-to guide;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#d8892104-ce90-493e-b813-93c488f4b1d3;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2015-08-31T22:00:00Z
Responsibloe Tourism Pamphlet	Responsibloe Tourism Pamphlet	1735474	GP0\|#367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033;L0\|#0367c7831-4239-4ad6-824a-c4325897c033\|Pamphlet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2026-04-12T22:00:00Z
Sustainable Transport In Tourism: Fact Sheet	Sustainable Transport In Tourism: Fact Sheet	208221	GP0\|#be14289f-aba9-47b4-b8d2-dd7e9a637f0c;L0\|#0be14289f-aba9-47b4-b8d2-dd7e9a637f0c\|Fact sheet;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#5340fe0b-73a7-472c-bef7-04e450fb5c4f;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2017-12-31T22:00:00Z
Tourism Development Framework	Tourism Development Framework	1981779	GP0\|#2a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805;L0\|#02a0a7e2d-aa1e-42de-b6bf-d25c6b1d8805\|Framework;GTSet\|#f1e8889f-f7d7-4d5b-a3f5-af0ca2e076ea;GPP\|#4a698fa1-48a1-4def-afa7-749a0e063169;GPP\|#0972c695-fd19-46c4-ab5d-9601f17b780e	2020-10-31T22:00:00Z