NEW YORK, April 4, 2001 -  Representatives from 28 of the world�s leading university-based tourism and hospitality programs, plus government and tourism officials, recently returned from South Africa where they participated in the BEST Bongani Think Tank, the first-ever global sustainable tourism summit aimed at developing a curriculum for hospitality and tourism educational programs worldwide.  

Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST), an initiative of The Conference Board in association with the World Travel & Tourism Council, organized the event to advance the state of education of front-line tourism professionals on how travel-related companies can promote their business objectives while contributing to the well-being of the destination communities and environment. 

At the Bongani Think Tank, participants discussed how to enhance tourism and hospitality education by mainstreaming sustainable tourism material into the core curriculum of professional education programs worldwide. Discussions focused on planning and developing, marketing, and human resources management. 

BEST�s goal in holding a series of three summits on sustainable tourism is to equip travel professionals with the knowledge to design and manage successful tourism enterprises that help destination communities to thrive as well. 

Michael Seltzer, the Director of BEST, said, �Based on our research, we know of many leaders of forward-looking companies that have built successful travel enterprises that contribute to their destination�s cultural, social and environmental well-being. There is a great need to expand their ranks through the education of the next generation of travel managers in both northern and southern countries.�  

In South Africa, the participants from universities around the world agreed to incorporate the modules on sustainable tourism into their own programs.  They will also develop a vehicle for sharing teaching aids and extending the curriculum to other university and tourism/hospitality training programs around the world. 

Ginger Smith, Ph.D., Director of the Accelerated Master of Tourism Administration Program, School of Business and Public Management, The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., commented, �BEST�s Bongani Think Tank encouraged academic experts in travel management to create a workable curriculum for sustainable tourism. I am proud that my institution will be a leader in implementing this innovative course material.�

The Think Tank in South Africa was held at the Bongani Mountain Lodge, a CCAfrica property.  CCAfrica has adopted sustainable practices through strong local staffing policies and through The Africa Foundation, which supports the surrounding communities by improving education and healthcare, assisting local farmers and helping rural entrepreneurs in business development efforts.  

BEST is now planning its 2002 global Think Tank, which will be co-sponsored by the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Travel Industry Management. 

About BEST
Business Enterprises for Sustainable Travel (BEST) is the first industry-specific initiative undertaken by The Conference Board 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 , which provides macroeconomic research data and forecasts. Support comes from the American Express Company, the Ford, Charles Stewart Mott and Pettus-Crowe foundations as well as the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, The New York Community Trust and Fundacion Amistad.  BEST serves as a leading source of knowledge on innovative travel industry practices that advance environmental sustainability and community, business, and travelers� interests.  BEST Report, a publication distributed by the organization, profiles the ways in which a selected enterprise has incorporated such practices into its core operations.