Tourvest Integrated Tourism Group (TITG) is leveraging tourism as a force for good by championing local community development and sustainability across South Africa and the continent. Beyond the economic benefits, tourism is crucial in cultural preservation, infrastructure development, entrepreneurship, social understanding, and environmental conservation.
“The idea that collaboration between a broad range of stakeholders can help to improve the shared value of a destination is nothing new, but it is imperative we create a pathway for this transition on a broad scale,” says Tendani Nelwamondo, Chief Sustainability Officer at Tourvest Integrated Tourism Group.
Tourvest Accommodation, Travel Services, Retail, Destination Management, Financial Services and Adventure all form key parts of this drive, to do good for the sector, society and the economy. ”Our investments are targeted to deliver broad benefits across the entire value chain,” says Nelwamondo.
TITG’s initiatives highlight the positive ripple effect of tourism, fostering entrepreneurship and new business ventures while supporting local communities.
Expansive initiatives are in place to ensure these benefits are brought to life. For instance, Tourvest Travel Services (TTS), Tourvest Financial Services (TFS), Tourvest Accommodation (aha), and Singapore Airlines recently joined forces to support Nkosi’s Haven by providing essential food items, ensuring nutritious meals for those in their care for the coming months.
“This is an example of collaborative support, which remains one of the key pillars in our plan to extend benefits as far and widely as possible to those in need,” says Nelwamondo.
In another impactful initiative, Tourvest Adventure Division – Mankwe GAMETRACKERS, along with Sun City and other concessionaires, enhanced the Itekeng Care Center by planting a vegetable garden, erecting a fence, painting, and providing food, stationery, blankets, tables, and chairs.
“We all know about the devastating impact of poverty and food insecurity and so by combining our efforts with like-minded partners we continue to make a difference within communities as we expand and build on this and other initiatives going forward,” says Nelwamondo.
In another key initiative driven by TITG, the local Maologane Primary School received a borehole pump to the value of R10 000, ensuring running water after months of relying on water trucking.
Tourvest Destination Management (TDM) recently spearheaded a collection drive for the H.O.M.A.C orphanage, creating a “Bag of Hope” filled with backpacks, teddy bears, hairbrushes, storybooks, blankets, socks, and beanie hats, bringing comfort and joy to children facing adversity.
Meanwhile, in Nelspruit: Sense of Oceans (TDM) rallied support for Bettie’s Haven, collecting non-perishable items like canned foods, rice, samp, mealie meal, and sugar, improving the lives of women and children in need.
” With the devastating impact of modern industrial activity on the environment an ongoing challenge, we are putting many programmes in place to drive environmental sustainability in areas where immediate results can be achieved,” says Nelwamondo.
In one recent example, the Wild Horizons Cape Town Abseil team dedicated time to a mountain cleanup, focusing on hard-to-reach parts of the trails, contributing to environmental preservation. And in another, Alpine Heath Resort participated in a neighbourhood clean-up campaign with the Northenberg, KZN community, and other tourism entities, focusing on maintaining clean and attractive pathways for visitors and local wildlife.
In a Tourvest Retail Initiative, R67 000 has been donated to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital along with the facility being painted. OR Tambo Staff donated food, soft toys, and a new gas stove to the Thandabantu Community Care Centre in Springs, alongside a dining room revamp.
Meanwhile, at the Kruger National Park, the Parks Shops team supported local education and childcare initiatives, providing meals and essentials to children and staff in various daycares.
“TITG’s initiatives demonstrate the power of sustainable tourism in fostering community development, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting environmental conservation. By partnering with local leaders and residents, TITG ensures that the benefits of tourism are shared and sustainable, creating a positive impact on communities across South Africa and beyond” concludes Nelwamondo.