Tourvest Integrated Tourism Group (TITG) is leveraging tourism as a force for good by championing local community development and sustainability across South Africa and Africa. 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 TITG.

Tourvest Accommodation (aha), Travel Services (TTS), Retail, Destination Management (TDM), Financial Services (TFS) and Adventure are all involved in 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.

A helping hand for communities

TITG’s recent community initiatives include:

• TTS, TFS, aha and Singapore Airlines joined forces to support Nkosi’s Haven with essential food items ensuring people in the facility receive nutritious meals – an example of collaborative support, which remains one of the key pillars in the plan to extend benefits as far and wide as possible to people in need, says Nelwamondo.
• Tourvest Adventure (Mankwe GAMETRACKERS), Sun City and other concessionaires improved the Itekeng Care Centre in North West with a vegetable garden, fence, paint, food, stationery, blankets, tables and chairs. “We all know about the devastating impact of poverty and food insecurity 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.
• Maologane Primary School close to Sun City received a borehole pump to ensure steady water supply after months of relying on water trucks.
• TDM spearheaded the “Bag of Hope” drive for the Hope for Mother and Child orphanage in Johannesburg. Backpacks were filled with teddy bears, hairbrushes, books, blankets, socks and beanies to bring comfort and joy to children facing adversity.
• In Mbombela, Sense of Oceans (another TDM operator) supported Bettie’s Haven with collections of non-perishable items like canned foods, rice, samp, mealie meal and sugar to improve the lives of women and children in need.
• Tourvest Retail donated R67 000 (€3 300) to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and painted the facility. The division’s employees at OR Tambo Airport also donated food, soft toys and a new gas stove to the Thandabantu Community Care Centre in Springs and revamped its dining room.
• The Kruger National Park Parks Shops team supported local education and childcare initiatives, providing meals and essentials to children and staff in various daycares.

Guarding the environment

“As the devastating impact of modern industrial activity on the environment is an ongoing challenge, we are putting many programmes in place to drive environmental sustainability in areas where immediate results can be achieved,” says Nelwamondo.

Recent examples include:

• The Wild Horizons Cape Town Abseil team dedicated time to a mountain clean-up, focusing on hard-to-reach parts of trails, contributing to environmental preservation.
• Alpine Heath Resort participated in a neighbourhood clean-up campaign with the Northenberg, KwaZulu-Natal, community and other tourism entities, focusing on maintaining clean and attractive pathways for visitors and local wildlife.

“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,” says Nelwamondo.