Garden Route Accommodation Fancourt Hotel and Country Club Estate Sustainability

This accommodation provider has taken action to address one or more issues (whether environmental, social or cultural) which will contribute positively to the long term viability of the destination and hence their site displays a Caring for the destination rating.

Detailed description of the Caring for the Destination Initiative: 

Safety, Health, Environment & Quality 

Fancourt has long recognised the importance of operating a Green Resort and has already taken various steps to ensure that it minimises the impact, while maximising the benefits, of its operating practices on the environment and its community. This is being done in accordance with the statutory obligations under the South African Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA, 1993), and relevant environmental laws and regulations.

In order to fully achieve green status, Fancourt is in the process of implementing a comprehensive Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ) programme. The programme was started in mid 2007 with the training of Health and Safety Representatives, the initiation of a Safety, Health, Environment & Quality Environmental Management System (EMS) and the appointment of a SHEQ manager to drive the programme forward.

The EMS documentation is under review with the first phase of implementation expected to start in October 2008. Some of the key focus areas, amongst others, are:

- Considering the impact of Fancourt on the greater area

- Employee education and encouragement to participate in the process

- Ensuring environmentally friendly sourcing of products (downstream impacts)

- Minimising the impact on the natural biomes at Fancourt

- Minimising waste and implementing recycling

- Reducing energy expenditure

- Reducing water usage

- Water quality monitoring and management.



Communities Go Organic

The La Petite Ferme Training Centre was established in 2007 in order to train local communities in small scale organic agriculture as an environmentally responsible means of poverty alleviation.

Skills taught:

- Compost teas & foliar feeds

- Entrepreneurship & sustainable livelihoods

- Nutrition

- Organic compost production

- Organic pesticide, weed & disease control

- Sustainable organic vegetable, herb & fruit production

Worm farms and vermin-compost.