The TripAdvisor survey found out that although 17% of respondents were unfamiliar with the concept of eco-tourism, 20% said they would consider such a trip, while close to 30% said they would choose a destination because it was considered eco-friendly. Half of those who responded said they would be prepared to pay more for eco-friendly accommodation.
Jenny Rushmore of TripAdvisor said:
"Green initiatives are an increasing priority for hospitality businesses that are trying to reduce their environmental footprint. Our survey shows that TripAdvisor travellers are interested in eco-friendly practices, but hungry for more information about which green plans and policies are actually in place."
On the back of this survey''s results, we thought we would remind our readers that Portfolio Collection offers a wonderful selection of accommodation venues around South Africa that are FTTSA (Fair Trade in Tourism South Africa) accredited.
FTTSA venues have to prove that they operate on an ecologically sound basis, that they support and uplift the local community and that they run on ethical principals.
Portfolio Collection proves that being a Fair Trade, eco-friendly place doesn''t mean having to forego luxury...
Three of our FTTSA accredited places to stay
Today we''re featuring three of our very special luxury FTTSA accredited places to stay in South Africa.
To book, contact res@portfoliocollection.com
Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge - Limpopo
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Madi a Thavha Mountain Lodge, meaning “water from the mountains”, is set in a valley of the lush Soutpansberg mountains of Limpopo Province, only 10 km from Louis Trichardt (Makhado). The lodge has a bright and cheerful atmosphere and is a fine example of community involvement. Visit the Venda and Tsonga art and crafts exhibition and sewing workshop and buy from their beautiful linen range.
Tuningi Safari Lodge - Madikwe, North West Province
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Tuningi Safari Lodge is set in the heart of the world-renowned Madikwe Game Reserve, a 75 000-hectare malaria-free Big Five game reserve bordering Botswana. Understated elegance greets visitors to this private and exclusive Lodge where a warm friendly welcome sets the scene. The main lodge is spacious and luxurious with a rim-flow pool overlooking a waterhole, and a tent set up in the garden for children to play in.
Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse - Wellington, Western Cape
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At Bartholomeus Klip you are surrounded by mountains that turn pink at sunset, farmlands stretching to the horizon, a 4 000-hectare fynbos nature reserve alive with herds of antelope, and a dam the size of a small lake – and yet you are only an hour away from Cape Town, with the winelands of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek within easy reach.