Sophistication, style and…sustainability?
I was recently asked write for Portfolio Collection''s Travel Blog on sustainable tourism. “Try to make it sophisticated and stylish” was the rather anxious instruction. “Well, why on earth would it not be?” was my response.
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Sure, “sustainable tourism” can sound terribly boring and conjure up images of Birkenstocks (maybe even, shock horror, with socks in), bugs and bowls of cold porridge. So I thought I’ll try to find another way to describe it, that wouldn’t make people think that they were auditioning for “goody-two-shoes of the year” instead of browsing for the next Fantastic Holiday. So I did what we all do these days, I turned to the Oracle (aka Google) who promptly spat back all sort of terribly dull responses that made even me, someone who has dedicated her career to the s-word, wanting to hold my breath until I was slowly eased out of my misery.
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The image search was not much better… Sure, in the right context two hands holding a bit of soil and a wee plant may be nice but unless you plan to go on a volunteering holiday to plant trees it’s probably not going to inspire you.
Eventually, and not without considerable effort, I had it: the word I had been looking for was “balance”. This is what we are all striving for in our lives; work-life balance, me-family balance, enjoying the good life- healthy choices balance. The list goes on, and the end result of finding this elusive balance is feeling fulfilled, happy and motivated. Aren’t these also things many people hope to achieve by going on holiday? I also found that the images brought up by a search for “balance” were far more inspiring than those for “sustainability”.
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Balance is also about giving and taking. About making sure that while you have a Fantastic Holiday, you also give something back to the people that call this place home. Which brings us back to my initial instruction of making sustainable tourism “sophisticated and stylish”. Do these words really fit with sustainability other than in the snappy s-s-s way?
Well, not always.
There are certainly many “sustainable” tourism businesses where Birkenstocks abound and a visit to the worm farm would be considered compulsory. And don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for these businesses too. Different horses for different courses and all that. But I assure you that Portfolio Collection lists many fabulous places that are sophisticated, stylish AND sustainable. They make their guests feel like royalty, but also take care of their people, communities and environment.
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So if you think that a bit of balance may be just the thing you were looking for to make your next holiday The Most Fantastic Ever, watch this space. I am going to tell you all about what makes some of South Africa’s most stylish, sophisticated and sustainable businesses so great. This way, you can just sit back, relax and enjoy your glass of chilled bubbles by the pool in the knowledge that simply by being there you are doing something good for South Africa and her people.
Although I’m sure that if you did ask, they would be happy to show you their worm farm!
That’s the beauty of balance; it can be what you what it to be.
Images by Joy-Anne Bromilow. All rights reserved
Thumbnail image courtesy of wallpaperstock.net
About the blogger
Katarina Mancama loves to travel. This passion has taken her to many places around the globe. She was born and raised in Sweden then lived, studied and worked in Australia, The UK, Panama and Switzerland before making South Africa her home in 2005.
She has a Master’s degree in Responsible Tourism and has dedicated her career to ensuring that tourism benefits the people, places and communities that make it happen.
Twitter: @KatarinaMancama
Blog: http://simplysouthafrica.wordpress.com/
Fair Trade holidays with Portfolio Collection
In the weeks ahead, Katarina will be telling the readers more about sustainable tourism in South Africa and featuring Porfolio Collection''s Fair Trade establishments such as Grootbos Nature Reserve & Forest Lodges in the heart of the Cape Floral Kingdom overlooking the whale watching haven of Walker Bay.
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Two hours from Cape Town, two impressive Lodges, Forest and Garden, have been built in harmony with the natural surroundings.
Creative cuisine using home-grown organic vegetables and the freshest local produce is complemented by fine local wines. Dedicated conservationists accompany guests daily on awe-inspiring excursions to explore the flora, fauna, bird and marine life of the area by foot, on horseback or in open 4x4 vehicles.
1 Response to Blending sophistication and style with sustainability
We sometimes feel a little lonely in the implementation of the sustainable development policy of our guest mansion. But reading you, we realize that, around the world, there are numbers of owners of guest houses, guides and other tourism providers involved to make this idea of ??sustainable development alive.
Sometimes alone and fortunately so many at the same time ...
By J-L Montembault - Relais de Saint Preuil (14 months ago)