Responsible Tourism
"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children"
Travel broadens our horizons. It is a beautiful thing. It enriches lives and brings different cultures together. However, tourism does need to be regulated because if left unchecked it can be totally disastrous for the environment and the local communities. Africa's tourism industry is growing rapidly and BELAFRIQUE firmly believes that those who are involved in the tourism industry and who derive benefits from tourism in Africa should take responsibility for the part they play. We each have a responsibility to ensure that Africa's tourism development grows in a sustainable, ethical way that benefits the economy, the people and the environment.
BELAFRIQUE passionately believes in responsible and sustainable tourism. Not only does this approach make the most out of the positive benefits of tourism for everyone involved, but it also gives you, our guests a richer and more authentic travel experience.
We choose to surround ourselves with like-minded people who share our same philosophy and therefore we choose our partners & suppliers very carefully. Together, we are all working hard to ensure that our joint operations have a long-term positive benefit on Africa's economy, her diverse people and her precious environment.
To quote the Fair Trade website: "The Fair Trade Tourism certification label represents best-practice responsible tourism – defined by fair wages and working conditions, fair purchasing and operations, equitable distribution of benefits and respect for human rights, culture and the environment. By choosing the mark of best practice, travelers are directly contributing to the livelihoods of everyone involved in their trip, from the staff who work for the establishments they stay at, the communities they support and the suppliers who provide them with services."
Please check out our Fair Trade Itineraries where we have included properties that are accredited 'Fair Trade'
BELAFRIQUE always tries to include Fair Trade properties in your discovery of Africa or properties that follow the same philosophy.
What else?
The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy
REGISTERED CHARITABLE TRUST IT000107/2017(C) | PBO & SECTION 18A: 930057649
Every guest that books a trip at BELAFRIQUE will be charge a minimal fee of R200 (less than 15 Euro) per holiday per room, to uplift our less fortunate communities.
We have teamed up with the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy whose goal is to bring light and a hopeful future to the disadvantaged youth in our communities. They are achieving this through Hospitality Education and Training. Through their training they are creating an opportunity for employment & job security.
Franschhoek, known as the Wine and Food Capital of the Western Cape, boasts a quaint village where a host of award winning restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, local shops, the Franschhoek monument and museum, wineries, arts and crafts are situated.
The team at Franschhoek Hospitality Academy recognized that among all this beauty is a dire need for trained and skilled professionals within the hospitality industry. There isn’t an affordable institution within this area that provides training facilities. This is where the Franschhoek Hospitality Academy & Learning Centre comes in. It is their goal to provide disadvantaged students and staff with the opportunity to a well-recognized hospitality education & basic training.
They have developed the Change4Twenty pilot program. 20 Students & 20 lives to change within a year. And so, our journey begins...
To raise funds & connect Tourism with this project The Franschhoek Hospitality Academy designed a tour for our guests to experience what the project is all about.
KOPANO - GUIDED WALK & DINING WITH LOCALS EXPERIENCE
MONDAYS & FRIDAYS (11AM TO 14:00PM)
Kopano - (which means "Gathering" in Sotho) is a fundraising initiative that FHA has developed to help raise funds to cover their operating costs (which are increasing by the day) as well as to provide a training platform for their Students to practice what they have been taught. It will run on Mondays and Fridays, catering for up to 20 guests at a time.
Tickets: dd 14 June 2018 R600 p/p
PLEASE NOTE: ONLY GROUP BOOKINGS OF 10 OR MORE DURING LOW SEASON (APR - AUG)
Here’s what your ticket will include and what you can expect on the day:
- Shuttle collection at 11am sharp at the NG Church Parking lot
- Township Tour with a friendly local – make sure you have your walking shoes on!
- Local Story Telling, Singing & Music performed by the JMP Foundation at Bathos Place.
- An Authentic South African Lunch served with Beer & Wine. (Includes: Chris Erasmus' (Foliage) secret Chakalaka recipe!
- Shuttle back to the NG Church at 14:00
We would like to encourage you to take pictures during the day and feel free to tag us @BELAFRIQUE @Franschhoek Hospitality @Kopano #Change4Twenty and feel free to bring along some extra Cash to Tip our Students & Tour Guide for all their efforts!
We look forward to seeing you soon for an eventful day, sharing in the lives of our communities and having a Franschhoek experience!
