African Insight cannot support ...

To all our Responsible Tourism partners
 
Based on the report copied below
 
Thanks to Travel News Now for keeping the industry informed and up to date.
  
African Insight cannot support the principles of Responsible Tourism and still be seen to be doing business with Legacy Group.  

I think that collectively, as tour operators who have made a commitment to Responsible Tourism, we need to make a united stand against companies that flagrantly oppose the principles on which we base our business models.  We may not change the world but we still owe it to ourselves and all those that respect us for the responsible choices we have made.

Not withstanding the fact that the Legacy Group may have been encouraged by misguided or corrupt officials or office bearers, or even if they are stopped through international pressure - the fact that they would even consider something of this nature shows that they are prepared to make money at whatever cost. 
 
The fact is companies that get involved in these developments do not give a damn about communities, job creation or sustainable environmental management - these are just words they use in a 'smoke and mirrors' game for one purpose - to enrich themselves.  Environmental Impact Assessments and due process mean nothing to these people. 

I would like to think they would never get away with a scam like this in the countries where their shareholders live, even South Africa, so they take advantage of economically deprived countries where short term gains are all they can understand.  Unfortunately the shareholders most probably do not know or even care.
 
I also believe that by taking this approach we send out a very clear message to Legacy, their shareholders and partners, that, as responsible tourism practitioners, although they may 'keep their noses clean' at home we will not tolerate them 'crapping on the doorstep' of another country - just because they can get away with it.  They have a corporate responsibility that transcends borders and governments.
 
For those property owners who have management contracts with Legacy we are saying 'choose your business partners carefully'.
 
Hopefully at the end of the day we will have some companies that we can do business with!!!
 
African Insight, as the ground-handler for many international responsible tourism operators, with immediate effect and until further notice, will not do business with the Legacy Group of Hotels, which includes ALL the following:
 
Bakubung Bush Lodge
Kruger Park Lodge
Tshukudu Bush Lodge
Raphael Penthouse Suits
Castleburn
Hermanus Beach Club
La Cote D'Azur
Wilderness Dunes
Elements Private Golf Reserve
Bookes Hill Suites
Centurian lake Hotel
KwaMaritane Bush Lodge
Labadi Beach Hotel
Sunnyside Park Hotel
Swakopmund Hotel
The Airport Grand Hotel
The Commodore
The Michelangelo
The Portswood
Windhoek Country Club Resort