NEW YORK, April 26, 2001 - Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST), an initiative of The Conference Board in association with the World Travel & Tourism Council, has made Conservation Corporation Africa (CC Africa), the subject of its just-published �Best Practices� report.  CC Africa, a group of luxury safari lodges spanning six African countries, brings a business-like approach to conservation while providing guests with an interpretive wildlife and cultural experience.  BEST regularly profiles travel-related companies whose sustainable practices advance business objectives while contributing to the well-being of the host community or the environment. 
 

CC Africa owns and operates 27 luxury safari lodges and private game reserves in eastern, western and southern Africa.  The company was instrumental in developing The Africa Foundation, which supports healthcare and educational projects in the communities surrounding its lodges.

Tau, "The Place of the Lion", is located in Madikwe Game Reserve -- one of South Africa's largest game reserves. A subtle arc of 30 ethnically decorated, air - conditioned chalets overlooks a waterhole and the rolling hills of the inselbergs.

In a continent that includes seven of the world�s ten poorest countries and has the lowest life expectancy, CC Africa sets a standard for how companies can make a difference and encourages the guests to participate by donating to The Africa Foundation.  Anthea McGregor, director of the foundation, said, �CC Africa�s guests meet local people employed at the lodges and many visit their communities. This person-to-person contact makes them eager to contribute.�  In addition to monetary contributions, the foundation frequently receives generous donations of medical equipment, computers and books.  

In 2000, corporate, institutional and individual donations reached US$300,000.  Well-known donors include British Petroleum, Moët & Chandon, and IBM.  
Donations to The Africa Foundation are applied to five areas: 

• Basic needs and regional infrastructure - The foundation builds classrooms, supports clinics, helps provide better access to water and supports AIDS awareness and prevention efforts.  
• Capacity building and training - The foundation awards scholarships and hosts business workshops on developing entrepreneurial and business skills.
• Environmental awareness - Environmental education in the schools encourages nature conservation. CC Africa lodges purchase organic vegetables grown by local farmers and the foundation assists local herders in managing livestock.
• Sports and cultural development - The foundation sponsors a cricket clinic in addition to dance performances and drama workshops as a means of educating people about HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention.
• Small business development - The foundation has made it possible for rural entrepreneurs to obtain loans, creating jobs in rural areas and thereby helping to prevent urban sprawl. 

CC Africa recently hosted BEST�s first-ever global Think Tank on Sustainable Tourism at its Bongani Mountain Lodge.  The purpose of the Think Tank forums is to develop a curriculum to educate hospitality and tourism professionals worldwide on sustainable tourism.  Mr. Seltzer stated, �The first Think Tank took place at a CC Africa property because it was important to hold this summit at a facility that integrates sustainable practices into its operations. CC Africa continuously strives to strike the right balance between the needs of a company in the tourism industry, local communities and the environment.�

About BEST
Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST) is the first industry-specific initiative undertaken by The Conference Board (www.conference-board.org) in its 84-year history. The Conference Board is the world�s leading business and research organization, including more than 3,000 companies in 67 nations in its global network. BEST is co-sponsored by the World Travel & Tourism Council (www.wttc.org), which provides macroeconomic research data and forecasts.