Minister launches Cruise Tourism Report

Media statement by the office of Mr Marthinus van Schalkwyk, Minister of Tourism

26 Nov 2010

Minister launches Cruise Tourism Report 

Strategies for the development of niche tourism products such as cruise tourism are important elements of the comprehensive plan to position tourism as one of the six key sectors of economic growth in South Africa, Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said today. 

Minister van Schalkwyk was speaking at the launch of a report on cruise tourism in South Africa on the MSC Sinfonia in the Durban harbour. "The development of cruise tourism as a niche market would further enhance South Africa's reputation as a world class and globally competitive tourism destination. The global cruise tourism industry has experienced significant growth over the last three decades, expanding from 1.4 million passenger carryings in 1980 to an estimated 15.4 million by 2009," Minister van Schalkwyk said. 

Minister van Schalkwyk said over the past two decades tourism had emerged as a fast growing and valuable services sector in the South Africa economy. "The latest tourist arrival figures show that South Africa has continued to outperform competitors and that our tourism sector has proved resilient against fairly poor global economic conditions. 

"The figures for tourist arrivals show that from January to August this year our tourist arrivals were more than 5.2 million (5 286 003), which is an increase of 17.4% compared to the first eight months of 2009. 

"We experienced growth from all our major market regions, with increases in arrivals of 11% from Europe, 25.1% from North America, 159.4% from Central and South America, 23.4% from Australasia, 37.4% from Asia, 21.8% from the Middle East and 13.6% from the rest of the African continent", Minister van Schalkwyk said. 

"The important role tourism has to play in economic growth and job creation has again been emphasised by the fact that it is now one of the six key growth pillars of the country. 

"We know tourism is an important driver of both domestic consumer spending and foreign exchange earnings. It is underpinned by a sustainable resource base, labour intensive activities and relatively low barriers of entry for entrepreneurs. Tourism has now been prioritised as one of the cornerstones of growth in the economy. 

"The National Department of Tourism will help position the tourism sector in such a manner that its economic benefits become a reality to all South Africans. In this regard we are exploring various avenues to ensure that we increase our global competitiveness and one of these is the identification and further development of niche markets," Minister van Schalkwyk said. 

The minister said cruise tourism was one of the areas identified for further investigation and in this regard a study had been commissioned. The project was conducted under the stewardship of a National Steering Committee, which represented all stakeholders in the field including port cities and provinces, the National Department of Public Enterprises, the National Ports Authority and Transnet. 

"The NDT will continue to engage with the industry as well as other government departments and entities on how to address constraints, facilitate passenger transit, encourage cruise passengers to visit port cities and the surrounding areas and ultimately increase economic opportunities for communities in and around coastal cities," Minister van Schalkwyk said. 

"In terms of the development of this sector it is our responsibility as government to market destination South Africa, to ensure service excellence and facilitate the provision of infrastructure. The responsibility does not, however, rest with government alone. We also need buy-in from the private sector and in this case particularly the cruise line industry in support of our economic development goals.  

"We will therefore work very closely with the cruise line industry to ensure that packages and excursions are developed and that passengers are encouraged to visit our shores, enjoy what we have on offer and inspire other travellers to also visit South Africa," Minister van Schalkwyk said. 

The full report is available on the NDT website at: www.tourism.gov.za. 

Enquiries:
Trevor Bloem (National Department of Tourism)
Tel: +2712 310 3631
Cell: +27 82 771 6729
E-mail: tbloem@tourism.gov.za 

Ronel Bester
Tel: +2721 465 7240
Cell: +2783 242 7763
E-mail: rbester@tourism.gov.za

Natasha Rockman (Ministry of TourismMinistry of Tourism)
Tel: +2721 465 7240
Cell: +2776 429 2264
E-mail:  nrockman@tourism.gov.za

Issued by: Department of Tourism
26 Nov 2010

Nedbank and WWF celebrate the donation of R100 million towards environmental sustainability

8^th November 2010

The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF South Africa) and Nedbank have officially crossed the R100 million threshold in funds donated towards environmental sustainability through The Green Trust. The contributions have largely been raised through Nedbank’s Green Affinity programme, where clients contribute through the use of Green Affinity current, savings and credit accounts, investment products and eco-insurance options. 

“In the 1990s, conservation and environmental concerns were seen as very separate from community development. The Green Trust’s mission was to bring these two isolated concepts together in order to promote the ideals of people and the environment living and working in harmony. Twenty years later, The Green Trust has funded numerous community-based projects and has proven that a strong people focus is imperative to achieve environmental sustainability and the protection of wildlife,” says Green Trust Manager, Thérèse Brinkcate.

The Green Trust is a 50/50 partnership between Nedbank and WWF which is aimed at supporting sustainable environmental projects. The projects funded by the Trust have made significant contributions to the growth of the conservation and the environmental sector.

“The fact that The Green Trust has been going strong for 20 years is a remarkable and noteworthy achievement. It is a credit to Nedbank and WWF, who have sustained one of the longest running partnerships between a corporate and a non-profit organisation in the history of South Africa. We deeply appreciate the time, commitment and dedication of everyone who has contributed to this partnership – most importantly, the clients who have loyally supported Nedbank Green affinity products and without whose support none of this would be possible,” says Maseda Ratshikuni, Head of Cause Marketing at Nedbank.

Over the past 20 years, the Trust has supported over 170 diverse projects throughout Southern Africa. These projects have contributed to conserving South Africa’s biodiversity, enabling adaptation to climate change and promoting environmentally sustainable activities. Projects funded range from organic food production initiatives in urban areas, climate change, fresh water and marine conservation, environmental education, and conservation efforts in rural communities pioneering co-operative management projects, where local communities and conservation authorities jointly manage natural resources. More recently, The Green Trust has engaged in the arena of sustainable food production, crucial for ensuring food security in the future.

“As the issue of sustainability increasingly comes to the forefront, The Green Trust will continue to play its part in ensuring the long-term integrity of our natural systems and the species and people that inhabit it,” adds Ratshikuni.

 This landmark R100 million milestone coincides with the celebration of The Green Trust’s 20^th Anniversary.  The Green Trust was established through an innovative funding mechanism pioneered by Nedbank for the Trust by linking it to the affinity products and encouraging clients to support the programme directly.

Recently, Nedbank has achieved significant accolades for its environmental sustainability and was named South Africa’s Top Green Company in 2009.  This year the bank has worked closely with WWF to achieve carbon neutrality and is first bank in Africa to achieve this.  Today Nedbank is a recognized leader in the “green” revolution, advancing environmental sustainability in South Africa and pioneering the green economy.

[ENDS]

About Nedbank

Nedbank Group is South Africa’s fourth largest banking group measured by assets, with a strong deposit franchise, the second largest retail deposit base, a client-centric wholesale and retail franchise and a substantial and growing Nedbank wealth management offering. The group offers a wide range of wholesale and retail banking services through five main business clusters, namely Nedbank Capital, Nedbank Corporate, Nedbank Business Banking, Nedbank Retail and Nedbank Wealth. Nedbank Group focuses on southern Africa, with the group positioned as a bank for all – from both retail and a wholesale banking perspective.

About WWF:

WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. WWF stands for The World Wide Fund for Nature. For more information please visit www.wwf.org.za 

Click on this link to follow WWF South Africa on Twitter: http://twitter.com/WWFSouthAfrica

For more information

Thérèse Brinkcate
The Green Trust Manager
WWF South Africa
+27 21 888 2836
tbrinkcate@wwf.org.za

Maseda Ratshikuni

Head: Cause Marketing

Nedbank Group

+2711 294 0388

masedar@nedbank.co.za

Sizwekazi Jekwa

Senior Communications Manager

Nedbank Group Communications

+2783 8834231

sizwekazij@nedbank.co.za

Carolyn Cramer 
Media Relations Manager
WWF South Africa
ccramer@wwf.org.za
+27 82 929 0348

Issued by

William Smook

Meropa Communications

+27 21 683-6464

+27 83-357-2837

williams@meropa.co.za

 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAKING HOLD IN SA COMPANIES

 

 

 

                                                                                                                                   8 November 2010

 

ENERGY EFFICIENCY TAKING HOLD IN SA COMPANIES

 

The issue of energy efficiency is taking hold in South Africa as companies view it in a new light and recognize the tangible benefits of cost savings as well as reducing carbon footprints and impacts on the environment.

 

This is the view of Kevin Whitfield, Head of Carbon Finance at Nedbank Capital, who says that partly as a function of the state of the economy, big users of energy are paying serious attention to reducing their cost bases.

 

"Companies that have high energy costs as part of their overall costs are increasingly doing what they can to diminish these costs. The savings they generate go straight through to the bottom line," he said after the African Bankers' Carbon Finance and Investment Forum that was held in Midrand last week. Sanctioned by the United Nations Environmental Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI), this event was held in the run-up to the World Climate Summit scheduled to take place in Cancun, Mexico, on December 4^th and 5^th.

"The mindset has definitely changed and we are going to see more and more active reduction strategies being implemented with regard to the use of several resources."

 

According to Whitfield, companies and other organizations are asking themselves how they can change their energy and resource consumption habits without having to redesign their business models.

 

As energy-efficient practices become more widely adopted, and cost savings become more substantial and sustainable, he sees a new set of behavioural norms becoming entrenched.

 

"Over the next two to three years, I think we are going to continue to see many companies and industries in cost recovery mode rather than revenue growth mode, ensuring greater commitment to actions and activities that are energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly," he says.

 

Importantly, says Whitfield, the global awareness about the need to reduce carbon emissions and footprints is driving local exporters to ensure that they are taking these issues seriously to avoid losing business or exporting at a discount.

 

"The last thing an exporter wants to hear from an overseas customer is we're not buying your product because your footprint is too dirty," he adds.

 

"More and more companies are aiming to become carbon neutral through their own energy efficiency, waste management and consumption measures, and through carbon offsets. In some cases, companies will be able to charge premiums for their carbon neutral products."

 

From an international perspective, Whitfield believes that trade relations and regulations between China and the US will have a major impact on how South Africa and the rest of the world tackle carbon issues into the future.

 

 

Ends

 

Issued on behalf of:       Nedbank

Sizwekazi Jekwa

Senior Communications Manager

011294 1306

                                           Sizwekazij@nedbank.co.za

                                                                               

Issued by:                         Jenni Newman Public Relations (Pty) Ltd

                                           Shireen Ramjoo

                                           Senior Account Manager

                                           011 506 7358/ 079 452 5386

                                           shireenr@jnpr.co.za

 

 

   

Green Africa Richards Bay

Ironicaly the nursery's name has very little to do with the amount of wildlife that inhabit this area of the Mzingazi Chanel system. From burrowing Brownhooded Kingfishers to Egyptian Geese and even nesting Fish Eagles.

In the Marsh Hibuscus you will find Weaver Birds and wallowing in the water at low tide is The Greater Egret, Grey Herron and a variety of Plovers and Terns. Yellow Bill Kites are almost comon and Wooly Neck Storks are in abandance.

The list is almost endless... And then we start talking fish and other wetland critters. This in the Industrial Zone of a working harbor.