5 STAR HOTEL & TWO OCEANS AQUARIUM FOUNDATION: collaboration to raise funds for ocean protection.

5-STAR HOTEL’S SUSTAINABILITY SOS TO “SAVE OUR SEAS!”

The Table Bay hotel introduces initiatives to protect marine wildlife

Sun International’s luxurious Table Bay hotel in Cape Town is working closely with the Two Oceans Aquarium Foundation to raise awareness and funds for the protection of marine mammals and oceans in general.

Perched on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean in the V&A Waterfront, the 5-star hotel has introduced a number of sustainability initiatives based on protecting the ocean ecosystem. These include adopting a zero-to-waste approach in the kitchens, and raising funds for the Foundation.

Speaking about the hotel’s approach, General Manager Joanne Selby said, “Sustainability is not just a word, it’s a lifestyle of choice. Many of our guests, especially the international ones, want to visit and stay at places that take a stand for the environment. Our guests can now love every moment of their stay with us, knowing that the local environment will benefit from their visit.”

Zero-to-Waste

Executive Chef Lindsay Venn is passionate about pursuing a zero-to-waste policy in the kitchens. Waste that would ordinarily end up in landfill sites is separated at source to be recycled. This ensures that plastic and other pollutions will not end up in the ocean.

Seafood donation

Sun International is one of the original supporters of the World Wildlife Fund’s Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI). Now The Table Bay hotel donates a portion of sales from every seafood order, with funds raised going to the Foundation to support their marine conservation work. Now, not only do diners know that they are eating sustainable produce, but they know they are also contributing to wildlife conservation and protecting our oceans.

The hotel also donates profits from bookings of Wildlife Tours of the Waterfront and sales of a children’s book about a real seal who lived and played near the hotel:

Marine Wildlife Walk

As new guests check in, they learn about the Marine Wildlife Walk created by the V&A Waterfront and the Foundation. Tours can be booked through the hotel’s concierge with revenue from bookings going to the Foundation. The walk features a guided introduction to a variety of the hotel’s wild neighbours such as seals, otters and other marine mammals commonly found in the Waterfront.

Book profits

When the hotel opened, one of its first frequent visitors was Oscar, a real Cape fur seal. Oscar’s antics and his friendship with a local fisherman is told in Marc Hoberman’s children’s book “Oscar! Cape Town’s swimmiest seal of Table Bay”. Copies of the book have been donated to the Two Oceans Aquarium and revenue from sales given to the Foundation.