GREEB, GREENER, GREENEST – DRAKENSBERG SUN

Responsible tourism is going from ideas to action and the Imvelo awards programme is creating recognition for leaders in the field. Susan Reynard reports.

The Drakensberg Sun was the overall winner of the Imvelo awards for 2008.

Tourism establishments learn from the experts and each other when it comes to environmentally friendly practices. The onus is generally on the owners and managers to decide how “green” their establishment’s operations are going to become.

The water treatment plant was upgraded by improving clarification and disinfection methods, using ultraviolet light. The resort has built its own waste disposal sorting plant and wormery and has formed relationships with recycling partners. Organic waste from the kitchen is separated into “cooked” and “uncooked” bins. A local pig farmer collects the cooked waste and the uncooked waste goes to the wormery. The worms do their bit and the result is liquid fertiliser and solid compost.

Drakensberg Sun deputy GM Wayne Wilson receives the award from Fedhasa chairman Eddy Khosa.

The waste sorting plant also houses bins for coloured and clear glass, paper and cardboard plastic and tin, all collected by recycling companies. To conserve energy, geysers have heat saving blankets and temperatures have been brought down. Energy-saving bulbs have been installed and float levels are used on all sewerage pumps.

The hotel has a programme to eradicate alien plants and replace them with indigenous trees and plants grown on site. Management also employs 95% local people, provides free transport to its staff and invests in their training and development. “Winning this award means we’re on the right track. It’s a journey, and although we’re doing quite a bit right, it feels like we’re just getting started. There is so much more than needs to be implemented,” Wilson says.

Much of the environmental programme takes place behind the scenes, but guests enjoy being involved in certain aspects. During Arbour Week the hotel gave as gifts to guests one of a selection of indigenous tree saplings, to either plant at the hotel or at home. When guests choose to plant the tree at the hotel, they are encouraged to return to “visit” it. Staff are involved in coming up with ideas on how to implement new environmentally friendly practices. Brainstorming sessions are fruitful and Wilson says it encourages staff to think along these lines, share his passion and makes buy-in much easier.

It really can start small and doesn’t have to be a very expensive project, just a committed project,” Wilson maintains. He says he’s had excellent support from head office. Southern Sun has confirmed that it is looking to roll out some of the good ideas at this hotel into other properties. Sonja Stroud is environmental officer at Wild Coast Sun, which won Best overall environmental management system. The establishment was the overall Imvelo winner in 2006. Sun International has long been a supporter of the awards, with Sun City Resort named the overall winner in 2007.

Tourism consultant Johan Kotze, Motlatsi Maleka of DEAT, Stewart Lumka of Absa and Brett Dungan of Fedhasa were among the judges for Imvelo 2008.

Stroud says eco-tourism is easy and always works and extends to staff training as much as environmental management. Regular newsletters are sent out to staff to keep them abreast of what is being done. “Guests also like to see our policies that are in place, so we have large framed educational posters next to all the lifts. It makes people aware of the environmental programme and they will let you know of any problems that exist that you may not be aware of,” Stroud says.

Winning this award boosts business, she adds, and serves as a competitive advantage. It is also flattering to see other hotels implementing the same programmes. “The hotel always had environmental systems but no one knew about them. It takes a team effort to put it together and market it. Don’t be intimidated, use your initiative.

A further two suites will offer their own en-suite spa treatment rooms to afford guests maximum privacy and relaxation. The resort’s main pool area, located on one of two private islands linked by bridges, will feature a 350-square metre freeform, infinity-edge swimming pool, a private sitting area with double chaise lounges for sunbathing and shaded trellis pavilions. Cape Town-based architects Dennis Fabian & Berman and Ruben Reddy have ensured the seven-storey stylish property integrates with the Waterfront District, with the resort interiors created by New York-based interior designer Adam D. Tihany. The resort’s feel will be contemporary whilst drawing heavily on Africa’s culture and heritage.