Tackling Africa’s ‘Superficial’ Safari Problem
Photo Credit: Tintswalo Safari Lodge shares an unfenced border with the Kruger National Park and is known for its minimal vehicle density. Tintswalo Safari Lodges / Tintswalo
Skift Take
A luxury lodge filling its plunge pool from a water-distressed community is the height of irresponsibility. And being an eco-tour operator is so much more than offering wildlife viewing — the safari experience value chain needs better accountability to ensure biodiversity protection and longevity.
No wiggle room exists anymore for superficial business as usual.
That may not sound very profound as an argument against greenwashing, particularly greenwashing by travel and tourism companies.
But when the person delivering that message is the Hollywood actor Ed Norton, people listened.
Speaking earlier this month at the 2022 WTTC Summit in Riyad, Norton, who serves as a United Nations biodiversity ambassador, pulled out all the punches on greenwashing and what he called a "superficial set of sustainable commitments" that are just too easy for the tourism industry to dodge without accountability.
If you didn't know, Norton has advocated for global biodiversity for more than 15 years.
"The fact that somebody comes to look at wildlife at your camp does not make you an eco-tour operator," said Norton in conversation with Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of Saudi Tourism Authority, during the 2022 WTTC Summit in Riyad.
He single
