Cathay's enviro-trip proving valuable institution

THE 8th Cathay Pacific International Wilderness Experience - a nine-day bush adventure that brings South African 16-18 year-olds together with 48 of their peers (plus 12 members of the media) from 13 countries in Asia and the Pacific Rim, will take place between July 16 - 24 in the Rustenberg Nature Reserve, just 130km north west of Johannesburg.
Cathay Pacific marketing manager Africa and project convenor, Tertius van Zyl, said that in excess of 375 students had taken part in the programme since its inception in 1994, with the overseas component drawn
from countries including Hong Kong, Auckland, Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing, Bombay, Ho Chi Minh City, Istanbul, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei and Tokyo.
"It began as a purely one-off, environmental programme to highlight rhino conservation but has grown to become an annual environmental awareness and cultural understanding event."
Van Zyl says that it has also become a totally fully sponsored "SA in-house travel-related" initiative.
"The committed buy-in from the SA industry is tremendous. They are really putting their money where their mouths are and due thanks should be given to them, especially to ERM Travel (which has been with us from day one), Southern Sun Hotels, Hertford Hotel, Orion Safari Hotel in Rustenberg, British Airways Comair and National Car Rental, who all most generously donate their products at no charge."
The spin-off for the SA tourism is huge, adds van Zyl, with Cathay's head office fielding numerous calls for how parents of returning students can book a similar experience.
Tangible returns to date have included a group of 80 parents, students and teachers from Korea who last year mirrored the trip, and - in the past couple of weeks - a request been received from a similar group from Bombay, India.
In a move that gives the wilderness programme even greater recognition, Cathay Pacific has - for the first time this year - formed a partnership with UNESCO Associated Schools Project (ASPnet), which is piloted by the South African National Commission for UNESCO.

(Elizabeth Sheridan)