(Posted 28th March 2023)
? April’s travel and tourism gathering in Cape Town will lead the way when it comes to
sustainable conferencing and events.
? The event includes a ‘Sustainability Village’ – a walk-through hub featuring eco-focused pop-
ups and various interactive displays.
? The three-day programme will take place from 3 – 5 April at the Cape Town International
Convention Centre (CTICC) and includes content workshops, networking opportunities, and
evening functions.
WTM Africa will, once again, host the Responsible Tourism Africa Conference, as well as the Responsible Tourism Awards, in 2023. Further to this, the event will lead the way when it comes to sustainable conferences in Africa with the launch of a dedicated sustainability village.
WTM Africa 2023 will take place from 03 to 05 April at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), a sustainable venue aligned with the event’s values.
The Sustainability Village, a new and unique walk-through hub, will feature a variety of eco-focused
pop-up exhibitors, each showcasing what they do through interactive displays and communicating
how they can assist other businesses in prioritising the environment and the support of local
communities. The pop-up exhibitions include Growing Paper, Painted Wolf Wines, How Many
Elephants, E’Yako Green, and Uthando among others.
“We love the opportunity to create functional bags and other items out of pre-used materials and to share our work at WTM Africa. We hope we can play a role in inspiring companies and teams to feel, think and live the art and business of sustainable tourism,” says Carey Moran, owner of E’Yako Green.
Growing Paper, specialising in 100% recycled plantable and biodegradable handmade paper
products, will not only be a featured pop-up within the Sustainability Village but are also the
innovative minds behind the event’s vegetable seed badge holders/pouches. Each attendee will also
receive a recycled PET lanyard.
The RX Global team, the organisers behind WTM Africa, intend to reclaim any collected badges in a
variety of collection boxes and plant the ‘Growing Paper’ in a community garden, helping local
residents to start and nurture a sustainable food source for their families.
“In today’s world, sustainability is at the forefront of many people’s minds. As consumers become increasingly aware of the impact of their choices, they’re looking for eco-friendly alternatives in all aspects of their lives, including their travels,” comments Roxanne Schumann, founder of Growing Paper.
“We are thrilled to be participating in the Sustainability Village at WTM Africa and believe our product is an innovative solution aligned for the industry. By incorporating this socially and environmentally meaningful solution into their supply chain, tourism businesses can show their commitment to sustainability, provide unique experiences for their guests, and promote their brand in a positive and memorable way,” she added.
The launch of the Sustainability Village follows a sustainability pledge from the show’s eventThe UN Sustainable Development Goals guide RX Global’s Sustainability Pledge.
The company is committed to minimising any negative environmental impact while continually
seeking ways to contribute positively to sustainable development. Attendees are encouraged to visit
the village to sign their own similar pledge.
Along with attending the Responsible Tourism conference and exploring the sustainability village,
visitors are also encouraged to attend the Responsible Tourism Awards, which will be hosted on 4
April, spotlighting various travel suppliers and their sustainability stories and successes.
“It’s so important to be celebrating the work being done and showcasing the options available to the industry. There are many easy changes suppliers can make to better serve their clients and the environment,” comments Olivia Gradidge, RX Global Marketing Manager – Travel and Tourism.
“After all, aside from the gratification that comes with doing their part, prioritising the wellbeing of our planet sends a much stronger message to a supplier’s clients than any marketing approach ever could,” Gradidge concluded.
Registration for WTM Africa 2023 is free at: www.wtm.com/africa/en-gb/enquire.html
