Happy World Responsible Tourism Day! Millions of people travel around the globe each year, exploring and experiencing cultures, traditions and scenery new to them. No longer is Cape Town merely the city at the south end of Africa – it is now a sought-after destination. But people’s perceptions are changing – leisure travel is no longer just a fun thing to do; it has grown a conscience, and more travellers are trying to do the responsible thing.

Responsible tourism and travel is a growing movement. More and more people are asking pertinent questions when travelling, such as: “If I travel to this destinations, how will the locals benefit?” and, “If I choose to visit this place, what will the environmental impact be?” Travellers are asking these questions because they need to know that their travels will leave them with great memories and their intended destination with a positive legacy.

Cape Town as a city has long recognised the importance of responsible tourism. “The City of Cape Town has supported the principles of responsible tourism since the Cape Town Declaration in 2002. In 2004 it included them as a founding principle of Cape Town’s Tourism Development Framework. In 2009 the city adopted the Responsible Tourism Policy and Action Plan. This plan will ensure that Cape Town is well on its way towards being a truly responsible destination,” according to the City’s website. 2009 also saw Cape Town win the Best Destination Category in the Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards.

And the Two Oceans Aquarium? Well, since 2007 we’ve been actively working on minimising our environmental footprint and creating a positive social legacy. The Aquarium joined the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme and achieved silver status. This quickly changed to gold, and at the end of 2011 the Aquarium was awarded the highest status of platinum. From employing renewable energy resources and using energy-saving light bulbs to switching to toilet paper made from sugar-cane fibre, it all adds up.

Although the Aquarium has been focusing on these initiatives for six years, the journey has just begun and there is still a great deal to be done. Our visitors come from all over the world. When they enter the Aquarium they enter our world, one that we are responsible for. Not only are we responsible for minimising the impact of our operations, we are also responsible for creating awareness and igniting a passion in our visitors – a passion to look after our environment and to be responsible, whether they are at home or travelling the world.

For more on the Two Oceans Aquarium’s green footprint, please click here.

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