The politicians and the marketing panjandrums love to talk about ‘sustainable tourism products.’ It sounds very long-term and grown up, and it makes the right noises, and it’s designed to attract the clients by the hundreds because it’s very PC.

But I think the Copenhagen Conference that’s just begun is going to show us just how wrong this concept is in the present scheme of things – because tourism relies on transport, and we’re not going to be able to jet around the world for much longer given the earth’s limited resources.

Until the transport system is sustainable, tourism’s not going to be sustainable (and, Mr. and Ms. Politician, just so’s you know, sustainable means across the generations – and not until just after your next election).

In a special collector’s edition of National Geographic Magazine that was published in June this year, Peter Essick wrote that “Coal, oil, and natural gas provide some 80% of the globes’ energy needs and yield the bulk of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gas emissions that are heating the planet. According to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) World Energy Outlook 2008, energy demand could jump nearly 50 percent by 2030 with a concurrent rise in emissions, a path that, if unaltered, could raise global temperatures as much as six degrees Celsius. The report concludes that this trend is “patently unsustainable – environmentally, economically and socially.””

The magazine goes on to say that “the amount of proven worldwide reserves of oil and natural gas liquids” is 1.2 trillion barrels, and that it took us 140 years to consume the first trillion barrels. At our current rates, we’re going to go through the next trillion in 30 years – which means that, unless we radically change our transport system, by the time my two-and-a-half-year-old grandson turns 40, he’s not going to be able to drive anywhere; and much less, go away on holiday anywhere beyond walking or cycling distance.

Which kind of puts ‘sustainable tourism’ into perspective.

And, while the purpose of the Copenhagen Conference is to address climate change, it’s pretty clear that we can’t do that without addressing the way we propel ourselves around the world.

South Africa can take pride in the fact that President Zuma has surprised and delighted the conference with his commitment to “actions that would result in a 34% emission reduction below business as usual by 2020 and 42% by 2025. This would enable South Africa’s emissions to peak between 2020 and 2025, stabilize for 10 years and then decline in absolute terms.” (WWF blog). But as a long-haul destination, we have to consider the damage we’re doing through our airlift, and we need to look for creative ways of changing our oil-hungry habits.

How? I’m not sure – but I hope my readers will be able to offer some ideas (and post them below).

I have one: revitalise rail transport for in-country travel and make it more attractive than flying between cities. It’s a lot more comfortable, and a lot less fuel hungry. And it’s a great way of seeing a lot more of the country (which means that it could also open up a lot more of the country to tourism…).

And I have one more (idea, that is): bind our tourism organisations together into one powerful lobbying group to pressure the big energy companies (ESKOM, Shell, BP, PetroSA, anyone else) to put more and moe of their enormous resource into finding long-term solutions to our energy needs.

Our future as an industry could rely on it.

“Positive Benefits Of A Liquor License For Businesses In The Hospitality Industry.”

We’ve noted before that liquor licensing might not be a priority for many businesses in the hospitality industry – but those businesses may be acting illegally when it comes selling liquor. And we said, too, that this isn’t usually out of willful negligence – it’s more likely to be a result of ignorance of the complex legislation that governs the issue.

But there are many positive reasons why hospitality businesses should have a liquor license:

1. Increased profitability – The liquor license creates an additional source of income, thereby increasing the profitability of your business. Too, representatives of the liquor industry often offer tremendous support – such as free customised wine lists, special offers and even sponsorships which can save you enormous amounts of money.

2. Saving on the cost of temporary licenses – Having a permanent license will save you substantial costs (time, money and effort) that are incurred every time you apply for a temporary license for individual functions. (In Gauteng occasional permits cost R1,000 – payable to SARS – plus about R1,500.00 in fees). If you run a number of events, these costs quickly add up to the cost of applying for a permanent license.

3. Increased attractiveness – A licensed premises is recommended more often by events organisers (even for small functions – business breakfasts, small or large conferences), and by current guests – because it’s convenient to enjoy liquor on the premises!

4. Increasing the value of your business – Banks and buyers will value your business by a factor much greater than the initial cost of the license.

Consult Liquorwise – Nationwide Liquor Licensing Specialists With All The Answers To Your Liquor License Questions – Focusing on the hospitality industry – Adding value to their service to you.

Here’s Some Interesting Correspondence Between Dave Jack of BnB SURE (Pty) Ltd, and Jurie Zietsman of Liquorwise

Dave Began by writing to me:

Hi Martin

Thanks for your latest “This Tourism Week” and particularly for your article about liquor licenses. I was always under the impression that even giving liquor away to guests is against the law and not only that, but the display and public use of liquor for personal use in a tourism establishment is also against the law.

I know this latter question does seem a little ridiculous but it is what I heard some years ago.

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards – Dave Jack – BnB SURE (Pty) Ltd

So I sent the mail to Jurie, who replied:

Dear Dave

1. YOUR QUESTION – DEFINITION OF “SELL”
I refer to your question to Martin, subsequent to receiving his regular weekly email. You are quite correct. In terms of the 1989 Liquor Act, which is still in operation in all provinces apart from Gauteng and the Eastern Cape, the definition of the term “sell”, includes the following :

” … to include to exchange or keep, offer, display, deliver supply or dispose of for sale, or authorise, direct or allow a sale of liquor”.

The legislator ensured that one could do very little with liquor without having to have a liquor licence!

Please visit our website and take a moment to read and perhaps comment on the current topics on our Blog.   Take the Compliancy Test on our website by completing a short questionnaire and receive an instant reply on whether you are compliant with regard to certain of the more important licensing requirements.

2. WIN A FREE LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATION !
Visit our website for our Annual Free Liquor Licence Offer

I look forward to any other questions you might have.

Kind regards – Jurie – THE LIQUORWISE TEAM

Hello Jurie

Thanks for clearing that up for me. You say that this is different in Gauteng and the Eastern Cape. What ridiculous rules do those folk have to follow?

Could you give me more information on this please?

Regards – Dave Jack – BnB SURE (Pty) Ltd

Hi Dave

In terms of our constitution, each province must have its own liquor act. To date, only Gauteng and the Eastern Cape have theirs, with the Western Cape probably next in line. The other provinces are in various stages of finalising their acts. You are right, it causes a lot of confusion between business and would have been much simpler had we all have one one Liquor Act. The 1989 Act worked fine for everyone.

The query I referred to, was the liability of a license holder, should a guest become intoxicated and cause (1) bodily damage to the license holder / other guests and/or material damage to the assets of the license holder/other guests. With the World Cup looming, we are getting a lot of questions about this kind of situation.

If you have any questions regarding liquor licensing which you find your clients would like answers to, please let us know!

Kind regards – Jurie – THE LIQUORWISE TEAM

Hi Jurie

In reply to the question raised most policies cover malicious damage to property and some also cover personal injury to guests following accident. Whether there would be a legal liability on the part of the owner of the establishment is something that would only be answered after the fact.

My suggestion is that establishments check with their own insurers/brokers as to what cover they have in terms of individual concerns.

I realise this does not give a complete answer but I think as situations vary and concerns vary the questions should be asked individually.

From a BnB SURE point of view, malicious damage is covered as is a degree of personal accident to guests. Legal liability is there in terms of the liability section but any such case would be taken over by us and handled on behalf of the insured on the basis of any liability attaching to the insured. Should an intoxicated guest cause damage we would always reserve the right to proceed against the guest for the recovery for damages but this would not have to concern the insured as we would do that after the insured’s claim has been settled.

Regards – Dave Jack – BnB SURE (Pty) Ltd

Thanks Dave. I agree with your approach. Will let you know what response we get, as BnB SURE is very well known and I expect a lot of the readers are policy holders.

Kind regards – Jurie – THE LIQUORWISE TEAM

Now go away on holiday (preferably a cycling holiday). It’s in the economy’s best interests.