African Engagement with the Tourism Sustainability Council (TSC)

1. African Engagement with the Tourism Sustainability Council (TSC) Technical workshop, 23 August 2010 Bedfordview, Johannesburg

2. Contents • Background to Tourism Sustainability Council (TSC)* • TSC consultation Africa (what’s been done to address the issues we raised in January?) • TSC current status • TSC future plans • STNSA – proposals for future engagement *and/or Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC), throughout. 2

3. Background to TSC • Founded in 2009 • Created by a merger between the Partnership for Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) and the Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) • STSC - harmonise standards (beyond green); quality assure certification bodies and increase demand for bona fide ST products and experiences • GSTC -common framework (www.sustainabletourismcriteria.org) • 2010 - transformed into a Membership Council – name change (?), legal registration, election of new board, 1st AGM. • Broad scope of work – 8 working groups • UN Foundation, UNEP, UN-WTO, Rainforest Alliance

4. TSC Organization Membership (currently 68) Board (previously Interim Advisory Board) – elected by members Small Secretariat (two staff, based at UNF offices in New York) Working groups (volunteers – unclear how appointed) Advisory Board (appointed by board)

5. TSC Organization • Working groups: • International standards development • Market access • Communications and branding • Communications sub committee • Membership • Finance and Fundraising • Legal • Destination Stewardship • Accreditation

6. TSC consultation – Africa • UNEP-funded roundtable meeting in Johannesburg, 18-20 January 2010 • Facilitated by Sustainable Tourism Network of Southern Africa (STNSA) • 9 certification organizations in attendance + other stakeholders • Outcomes: • TSC acquired improved understanding of sustainable tourism certification in Africa • African stakeholders provided comment on GSTC, proposed accreditation procedures and other aspects of TSC – key questions raised with Secretariat • STNSA recognized as the primary sustainable tourism stakeholder body in Africa • STNSA agreed to engage TSC collectively (affirmed in May 2010 at STNSA annual meeting, Durban) 6

7. A new international accreditation body could potentially undermine the authority of strong national accreditation processes of counties such as South Africa and Brazil TSC has acknowledged need to recognize national processes. Detail not yet worked out. Key Question 1 7

8. Lack of clarity regarding future governance of TSC and what mechanisms will be developed to ensure that African interests are represented August 2010 – board election and AGM. 12 elected seats 3 permanent seats Up to 5 seats may be filled through co-optation Process was rushed and characterized by various problems. Key Question 2 8

9. Accreditation fees should be affordable and announced far in advance to enable certification organisations to build these fees into annual budgets and fee structures Fees not known. Launch date not know. Accreditation fees likely to be one of several fees passed onto certified tourism enterprises. Accreditation working group. Key Question 3 9

10. In addition to accreditation, TSC will offer other services including some directly to tourism businesses – these must not undermine or compete with local certification programmes TSC has acknowledged potential for competition. Detail not yet worked out - principle is that certified product will receive highest/exclusive marketing benefits (e.g. Expedia Green pages). Market access working group. Key Question 5 10

11. How many logos will TSC introduced and how will these multiple identities be managed? Institutional logo (CI). Accreditation mark. Membership logo. Branding working group Key Question 6 11

12. TSC – Problems & Contradictions • Big plans, small capacity • Scope of work has expanded well beyond standards and accreditation (e.g. training, marketing, destination stewardship). Problem 1: competing services. • Transition from multi-stakeholder body to membership council. Problem 2: members v non-members. • Members are highest authority in the organization, able to influence policy, strategy etc. • Members only stance will not provide the broad mandate that TSC desires. Flow of information to non members, their status & ability to influence not defined.

13. TSC – Problems & Contradictions • Founding of council took place before TSC membership well known, well regarded, well established. • Low membership base (68) = weak board mandate • Lack of mandate + perceptions of regional bias, conflict of interest, lack of diversity. Problem 3: TSC lacks endorsement of its own stakeholders.

14. TSC next steps • Co-opt additional board members • Finalize accreditation procedures • Create own website (strong members only presence) • Publish business plan (October?) – in principle, available in public domain. • Soft launch – WTM? • Clarify name / name change • Introduce logo/s • Review GSTC – opens Nov 2010 • Kelly Bricker (outgoing IAB chair) will visit southern Africa in November

15. STNSA and the TSC • STNSA members to participate in TSC’s two consultation processes • Accreditation (manual) • GSTC • Collective input preferable (via STNSA Secretariat) • In addition, STNSA must be formally recognized by TSC • Structured engagement with elements of business plan – not just information but ability to influence design • Formal representation (working groups, board, advisory board) • Insist on access to information • Direct communication between STNSA and TSC board • Make it possible for non members to have a voice

16. STNSA and the TSC • Africa a priority for TSC • Sustainability – great need, high impact • Seen to be strong support in Africa for accreditation • But currently very few members in Africa (≥2-3) – no database, no network, lack of credibility. • TSC needs our endorsement (legitimacy, access) • What is our position re TSC membership? • What should be the position of our national governments?

17. Thank you More Info: regional@fairtourismsa.org.za www.sustainabletourismnetwork.co.za 17