Urgent call for biodiversity protection amid Western Cape tourism boom

Tourism businesses in the Western Cape are being urged to prioritise biodiversity protection as visitor numbers continue to rise, placing growing pressure on the region’s fragile natural systems.

More than 2.4 million visitors travelled to Cape Town in 2024, intensifying strain on ecosystems already affected by habitat loss, water scarcity and climate change. According to the South African National Biodiversity Institute, nearly 60% of natural habitats in some areas have already been lost, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability of tourism-led growth.

Dr Niel du Toit, chief executive of Go Sustainable Tourism, said the industry could no longer afford a business-as-usual approach.

“Tourism businesses can no longer afford to be passive observers in the face of environmental decline,” du Toit said. “They need to step up as custodians of biodiversity by putting conservation at the centre of their operations.”

He said while many hospitality operators acknowledged the importance of sustainability, fewer had translated this into measurable action. Go Sustainable Tourism’s certification framework, he said, verifies sustainability practices across conservation, community, customer and company pillars, embedding environmental responsibility into everyday management decisions.

The framework promotes practical interventions such as water-saving technologies, renewable energy solutions and habitat protection, while also supporting local economic participation through employment, sourcing local produce and community-based tourism initiatives.

Tourism contributes about 8.8% to South Africa’s GDP and supports around 1.7 million jobs. With 7.6 million international arrivals recorded nationally between January and September this year, du Toit warned that expansion in destinations such as the Western Cape could not come at the expense of the natural assets that attract visitors.

“For hospitality businesses, sustainability is a strategic advantage,” he said. “Reduced operating costs, stronger guest loyalty and deeper community relationships are measurable outcomes, not ideals.”

Du Toit said advances in technology, including smart water monitoring, solar integration and energy-efficient design, were making conservation more achievable, allowing properties to reduce consumption while protecting sensitive environments.

He added that protecting biodiversity should now be regarded as a baseline requirement for every lodge, guesthouse and hotel in the province.

“This is about more than compliance,” du Toit said. “It’s about ensuring that future generations can still experience the natural heritage that makes this region extraordinary.”

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Cape Argus