Fair Trade Tourism is a South African-based certification body that promotes responsible tourism by ensuring businesses operate in ways that are fair, transparent, and sustainable, creating a better place for people to live, work, and visit.
As of July 2025, Tanda Tula is a certified Fair Trade Tourism property – a milestone we honour as a trusted endorsement of our approach to ethical African hospitality.
Over the years, Tanda Tula has been shaped not only by the natural world and wilderness around us, but by the people who bring us to life – guides, gardeners, hosts, housekeepers, neighbours, partners, families, guests, communities and industry peers. Inspired by many, we’ve built a way of working that is rooted in fairness, care, and responsibility.
For us, this certification is not a badge or a standard. It’s a purpose-led affirmation and framework that gives shape to the values we live by. It helps us measure what matters, stay accountable, and continue growing in a way that uplifts both people and planet.
“We didn’t pursue this certification to tick a box. We did it to reflect on who we are, how we work, and how we can do better. Fair Trade gave us the structure to do that with both discipline and honesty.”
– Nina Wolfs Scott, Co-Owner, Tanda Tula
Why Fair Trade Tourism?
Don & Nina’s relationship with Fair Trade Tourism began over two decades ago, when they were involved in the accreditation of another lodge in the Timbavati Nature Reserve. Fair Trade Tourism’s framework offered something both practical and values-driven, recognising the complexity and potential of tourism in Africa.
That experience stayed with them when they began shaping Tanda Tula.
“Their principles quietly influenced how we hired, how we sourced, how we treated people, and how we embedded responsibility into everyday operations. Over time, these values became part of our natural rhythm.”
– Don Scott, Co-Owner, Tanda Tula
This certification is a continuation of that journey. As our guest experience evolved, our conservation efforts expanded, and our community investment and internal systems matured, it felt like the right time to pause, reflect, and check that we are on solid ground. We wanted to be sure we are building in the right direction.
We chose Fair Trade Tourism because their approach is rooted in the realities of Africa. They bring a deep understanding of local contexts, respecting relationships, land, and the communities they engage with.
“We know Africa. We’re African. And that matters. Our framework is built with the complexity and richness of this continent in mind. It’s what sets Fair Trade apart.”
– Grace Stead, General Manager, Fair Trade Tourism
At the same time, their standards are globally respected. Fair Trade Tourism is aligned with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and recognised by the Travalyst Certification Network – a global initiative working to bring clarity and consistency to sustainability in travel.
This balance of local relevance and international credibility made them the natural partner for us.
The Process and the Work Behind It
The Fair Trade Tourism certification is not awarded lightly. It requires evidence, consideration, and the willingness to open every part of your business to close examination.
We found that the greatest value of the process lay in its meticulous pursuit of verification. We revisited our internal systems, operational documents, contracts, policies, and training materials. We looked at how we support our team, how we partner with our neighbours, how we protect the environment, and how we share the benefits of our work. Each area was carefully reviewed against a set of independently verified benchmarks.
The audit spanned multiple areas, including employment practices, wage structures, procurement, supplier relationships, health and safety protocols, environmental management, and community partnerships. It asked us not only to show what we do, but to demonstrate that we do it with consistency, care, and intention.
There was no cut-and-paste template. The process was collaborative, rigorous, and deeply human. It challenged us to slow down, look deeper, and refine what had perhaps become habitual. We strengthened policies, clarified our communication, and filled a few gaps.
Through it all, we were supported by the Fair Trade Tourism team, including an independent auditor, who approached the work with curiosity, professionalism, and a genuine desire to see meaningful change realised.
What We Learned
While many of the Fair Trade principles were already part of our daily rhythm, the audit gave us a chance to see them from a fresh perspective. We were reminded that strong foundations need care, and that good intentions become more powerful when they’re documented and shared. By formalising the values that have guided us for years, we’ve sharpened the tools that help us operate with greater clarity and carry our culture forward.
Perhaps the most lasting insight is that sustainability is not a fixed point. It is an ongoing practice, shaped by the choices we make every day.
“Tanda Tula showed more than compliance, they showed commitment. It was clear this wasn’t a once-off exercise but rather a way of working that’s been lived and refined over time.”
– Morwesi Ramonyai, Independent Auditor
Looking to the Future
Our Fair Trade Tourism certification will serve as a yardstick – a way to ensure we are on the right path, and a framework to measure progress, stay transparent, and keep refining how we work.
It also places us in step with a shifting global landscape. From 2025, international regulations, particularly in Europe, are expected to place greater pressure on travel businesses to demonstrate accountability across their supply chains. Tour operators and agents will need to partner with those who can verify their impact.
Certifications like Fair Trade Tourism are fast becoming a form of currency in the global travel economy; a mark of credibility, trust, and transparency. They offer assurance through independent verification and alignment with globally recognised standards.
The global shift towards proving one’s sustainability claims presents both a risk and an opportunity, depending on how you view it. It is not only about doing good, but also about doing good business with an eye on the future – the world is changing, and fast.
Whether you are just starting out or have been doing this for years, the Fair Trade Tourism framework is a valuable structural tool. It helps build from the ground up with intention and create systems that are both values-aligned and scalable. In an industry where growth can outpace foundation, this becomes essential. This being said, it is not about perfection – ours is still a work in progress. It is about taking the time to pause, ask the right questions, and move forward with clarity and purpose.
“This is about building a business that can stand the test of time. If you want to grow, you have to get the foundation right. Fair Trade Tourism has helped us ensure we’re building on solid ground, while also giving us a way to put our best intentions to the test. Not in a way that felt punitive, but in a way that asked, ‘Are you truly living what you say you believe?’ That’s powerful.”
-Don Scott
Beyond commercial value, the work to maintain a Fair Trade Tourism certification invites all of us to lead with integrity, build trust, and create a legacy that means something. For us, it has reinforced a simple truth. Doing the right thing is not a sideline to good business. It is the business.
