Tourism’s role

THE South African government declared September Tourism Month to show how everyone can contribute to tourism. The Department of Water and Sanitation in the Western Cape welcomes tourists (local and international) to our areas of attraction.

Tourism is one of the sectors that accounts for freshwater consumption. While this sector consumes considerably less water than other sectors such as agriculture, it is still widely regarded as the main consumer of freshwater resources.

In a water-stressed province like ours the tourism sector too can play a significant role in water conservation. Some of its smaller interventions could be;

Displaying water conservation messages on properties

(hotels, restaurants, game reserves, airports, etc).

Ensuring potable water is only used for essential services.

The use of water-resilient technologies (recycling) to conserve water.

Fixing leaking taps and pipes in their environment.

It is comforting to note that some tourism outlets are already acting in a responsible manner in the way they use water. We applaud these outlets. In the tourism sector water is a strategic resource, hence the need to use the resource in a sustainable manner.

“Water is Life, Sanitation is Dignity”. Malusi Rayi Communications Department of Water and Sanitation Western Cape