Spier Wine Estate in Stellenbosch has won two prestigious Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards for its tourism initiatives. The first award was for the estate's best practice in terms of economic impact, and the second for Spier's best social involvement programme.

The nature of the awards is to praise those members of the tourism and hospitality industry who have implemented sustainable economic, social and environmental practices that comply with the industry's responsible tourism guidelines.

"We are thrilled with these awards as they underline how Spier has committed itself to responsible tourism in the long term and in the process, created business and social models that reflect best practice in the hospitality industry," said brand director Derek Carelse.

He said that commitment to sustainability led Spier to become the first luxury hotel in South Africa to be honoured with the Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa (FTTSA) certification trademark. It has also received Wine Industry Ethical Trade Association accreditation.

Carelse said they identified a range of products and services that could be shifted into local, black-owned small businesses. One was the estate's laundry which was set up as an independent business and has provided jobs for seven people who had been unemployed.

(Source: Cape Times, 7 Nov 2005)


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