"South Africa, and especially Gauteng, should be showing the way in eco and ozone friendly tourism." So says Peter Hayward, CEO of Hayward's Luxury Mobile Safaris at the announcement of the Haywards/Gauteng Tourism Authority (GTA) World Ozone Day Presentation to be held on September 16th.

The purpose of the event, to be held in conjunction with the GTA is to highlight the plight of the ozone layer and present what the GTA and National Tourism are doing to address the factors damaging the ozone layer in Gauteng, the country's biggest industrial centre, with the assistance of companies like Hayward's.

Ozone Day was originally proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly to commemorate the date, in 1987, on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed. States are invited to devote the Day each year to promote, at the national level, activities in accordance with the objectives of the Montreal Protocol and its amendments.

The Gauteng Tourism Authority's Lindelwa Isabelle feels that in order to attain its long term vision of being the strategic leader of tourism in Gauteng, the GTA must address the local environmental issues that potentially limit tourism growth.

-When the GTA was established in 1997 our mission was clear; stimulate, co-ordinate and facilitate sustainable tourism development and marketing of Gauteng Province, in order to create a world class destination that will attract business tourists and other tourists, benefit our people and contribute to economic growth.

-We will not get tourists to Gauteng, much less SA, if we do not clean up our act. We are thus very supportive of partners such as Hayward's who not only are recognised by leading environmentalists as being the world's most eco friendly lodge, but harness local sites such as the Cradle to host national and international events and launches and thus boost local tourism.

Rod Weinrich, marketing director at Hayward's feels that it's a win-win for all parties concerned, Through my involvement with SAACI, the Joburg Inner City Redevelopment Program and at national tourism level, sustainable, environmentally friendly tourism is high on the agenda to position South Africa as first class tourist destination.

This cannot however be done without the direct involvement and support of local and national tourism bodies, tourism operators and industry. We cannot hope to attract tourists to Gauteng when its pollution detracts from the otherwise superb attractions and world class facilities we have to offer.

Peter Hayward created Hayward's ten years ago to be the world's largest mobile luxury safari, "I am comfortable that we have attained that goal and are now, I would say, the world's largest eco friendly lodge as well. We, however, cannot be a lone voice in the Gauteng environmental wilderness and need the support of local industry. To that extent we have invited clients of ours such as General Motors and SAA to join us on the day."

Lindelwa Isabelle emphasizes, Ozone Day, being in September, also ties in with SA Tourism Month which was created to highlight to South Africans the importance of tourism for our economy. World Tourism Day on September 27th wraps up our efforts in September and events such as this one go a long way to assist a tourism boom for Gauteng.

The event will be held at the GTA offices at Shop 401, Upper Level, Mall of Rosebank, Baker Street, Rosebank, Johannesburg. For more information on the event or enquiries regarding Ozone Day contact Hayward's at 011 442 5640.

Issued by Futuretide Business Development, on behalf of Hayward's.

Editorial contact: Celeste Vinassa ? 011 782 8730 or

Cell: 082 855 4849 or email: celeste@inflow.co.za