Knysna Tourism and Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding which will create conditions for improved collaboration between the two organisations.
Knysna Tourism CEO Shaun van Eck says the MOU also provides a framework for joint programming.
He says the collaboration with Fair Trade South Africa will allow the tourism agency to build capacity amongst its members to implement the principles of fair trade and responsible tourism.
Van Eck says it will also allow their members to achieve Fair Trade certification.
"We also share certain common objectives," said van Eck. "Such as positioning Knysna as a leading responsible tourism destination, in a manner that creates employment in a fair and sustainable way for all, including disadvantaged people and communities."
"Because of these similarities, we have agreed to share opportunities that might support the mandate of either organisation or the fulfilment of shared objectives; and to facilitate networking opportunities for both organisations as appropriate and within the scope of available resources," van Eck explained.
"FTTSA played an important role in developing South Africa's National Minimum Standards for Responsible Tourism (NMSRT) which Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk launched in Knysna in September last year," said van Eck.
