Volunteer Programme Certification Press Release
Press Release 5 May 2010
Calabash Tours achieves FTTSA certification for Volunteer Programmes
Calabash Tours is no stranger to responsible and ethical tourism, having achieved certification from FTTSA for its ground breaking Real City Tour and Shebeen Tour in
Port Elizabeth in 2004.
What is of significance is that it is the first time that Volunteer Programmes have been certified by FTTSA.
The Certification was awarded for, the School Support Programme and The Community Care Programme initiated in 2006
“We are proud to be awarded the certification. We have belief in the FTTSA certification process, which is transparent and internationally recognized as one of the best certification processes for Responsible Tourism. This certification will give our clients and the communities we seek to serve peace of mind and serve to reassure them that our programmes are indeed ethical, and responsible.” Says Paul Miedema founder of Calabash Tours.
The volunteer sector of the tourism industry is a fast growing sector, which has the potential to make a significant contribution to the development of poor communities. However, as is often the case in community tourism, there is a potential for negative impact.
As leaders in sustainable tourism, Calabash Tours has once again displayed vision in crafting community based tourism products that minimizes negative impact, while providing an excellent client experience, and leveraging maximum community benefit.
Calabash Tours is one of only two companies in South Africa to achieve FTTSA certification for its volunteering products.
Miedema adds “– As market leaders in community tourism we are keen to support any initiative to raise standard of practice in the volunteer sector. We have great faith that volunteer tourism can be a significant contributor to greater engagement between tourists and disadvantaged communities. We believe these interactions can be a way to build understanding around the important notion of shared humanity”.
Calabash Tours will receive the certification certificate at 1pm on 10 May at the FTTSA stand (DEC D020) the Tourism Indaba.
Calabash Tours is exhibiting on ICC 006
Contact: Paul Miedema 0845524414
