For the past month, FTTSA staff members have been running on pure adrenaline- all energy and efforts culminated in a successful Indaba, the biggest tourism exhibition of its kind in Africa.

This year marked the third year that FTTSA has participated in Indaba. It was also the first time that we showcased FTTSA Trademark Users. Participants at the exhibition including tourist establishments, tour operators and government departments visited the FTTSA stand and expressed interest in our work.

A highlight of this year’s Indaba was the FTTSA Press Conference where the newest Trademark User Masakala Traditional Guesthouse was announced. Cheryl Carolus, CEO of South African Tourism was guest speaker at the event, advocating the merits of fair and responsible tourism in South Africa.

FTTSA participated in Indaba for the first time in 2002 as a young initiative with a vision of transforming the South African tourism sector into a fairer, more sustainable and responsible one. FTTSA returned to Indaba the following year with a certification system designed to measure the extent to which a tourism establishment practices fair wages and working conditions, fair operations, purchasing and distribution of benefits, ethical business practice, and respect for human rights, culture and the environment.

“There has been amazing response from people at this year’s Indaba,” says Jennifer Seif, National Coordinator of FTTSA. “People are excited at the progress we have made since our first Indaba. It will be great to see how much FTTSA will continue to grow in the years to come.”

FTTSA appreciates all the support it has received each year at Indaba and looks forward to participating in Indaba 2005!