Someone has to start somewhere.

http://www.Greenstuff.co.za is a free online directory of suppliers with eco-friendly products and services. We offer a consulting and tendering service backed by 20 years experience in hotel procurement. If it’s not there, we will find it, and there’s no middle man!

Greenstuff is a division of http://www.Hotelstuff.co.za, which for 8 years has provided 11,000 hoteliers with a direct, free link to suppliers of goods and services.

Hotelstuff is 8 years old, Greenstuff was launched 2 years ago – hits shot up 100-fold. I’ve had to bring in 5 people to help me.

At Tourism Indaba we learned that 52% of EU Tourists look at destination first, “greenness” second, and price third. That will be the incentive – market share.

It has taken me 20 years (15 as Purchasing Manger for Southern Sun’s 82 hotels) for the industry to understand green procurement. Carbon audits are all very well (and we do that), but it is much, much more than that. It is also sustainable operations.

I’ve been allocated a section of the main hall at Hostex which is called the Greenstuff Village. In this I have been invited to build a little Greenstuff Hotel which will showcase only eco friendly products and services from my website. We are a not-for-gain directory and I consult with the associations that are awarding green tourism stars. Please come and visit. (Also been invited to build green house at Decorex and sustainable modular house at Nat&Org in Jhb in August.) This was supposed to be a hobby. Ha ha.

Consultants are popping up like bamboo shoots in worm farms. Dollar signs flashing in their eyes. Where have they been the past 30 years? It is not about the money, it is about learning, understanding, teaching, networking and sharing.