The aim of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism is to lead environmental management and tourism in the interest of sustainable development for all by

• promoting the sustainable development, utilisation and protection of our natural and cultural resources
• establishing responsible tourism that ensures environmental sustainability and which contributes to job creation and a better quality of life
• harnessing the skills, experience and knowledge of the environment of all South Africans
• fostering equitable access to the benefits derived from our natural and cultural resources
• empowering the South African public, communities and organisations through participation, environmental education, capacity building, research and information services
• working together with all relevant stakeholders and spheres of government in the spirit of good governance
• ensuring that all international participation and obligations are undertaken in the context of South Africa's environmental policies and principles.

The Department's activities are developed and implemented by the five departmental branches:

• Environmental Management
• Marine and Coastal Management
• Tourism
• Biodiversity & Conservation
• Corporate Affairs

Some of the programmes and projects that the Department is currently involved in are:

• Wild Coast Spatial Development Initiative Pilot Programme
• Socio-Economic Impact of Poverty Relief Funded Projects
• World Parks Congress
• Tourism: Business Development Projects and Programmes
• SADC Regional Environmental Education Programme
• National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP)
• The Cleanest Town Competition 2003
• Imbizo Focus Week
• Transfrontier Conservation Areas
• Poverty Relief Programme
• SA Welcome Campaign
• Waste Management Programme
• World Heritage Convention Programme
• State of the Environment Project
• Spatial development initiatives
• CoastCare
• CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).