The Gold winners within the WTM Africa Accountable Tourism Awards being offered right here now are mechanically entered into the Sabre World Accountable Tourism Awards.
CAPE TOWN – The winners of the celebrated World Journey Market Africa (WTMA) Accountable Tourism Awards have been introduced at Africa Journey Week 2024 in Cape City. Bangu Masisi of Transfrontier Parks Locations revealed the honorees, celebrating companies and initiatives which can be making a constructive impression by means of accountable tourism practices.
“These awards are integral to WTM Africa’s accountable tourism programme, and spotlighting people who have really made a distinction is essential for the encouragement of others to do the identical,” stated Masisi.
Alderman James Vos opened the awards ceremony, congratulating the winners and emphasising the significance of sustainable enterprise practices within the tourism business. “In relation to sustainable enterprise practices, let’s hold pushing these boundaries,” stated Vos.
Alderman James Vos.
The 2024 awards included six classes, with gold and silver winners offered with trophies created by Ngwenya Glass, 5 of eight world winners got here from Africa within the World Accountable Tourism Awards in 2023.
Harold Goodwin, WTM Africa’s accountable tourism advisor and one of many judges, stated, “Congratulations to the winners. I’m additionally very enthusiastic about these acknowledged as ‘ones to look at’ within the awards. These are sometimes new concepts from new individuals, and it's very thrilling to see these companies come to the fore.”
The winners of the World Journey Market Africa (WTMA) Accountable Tourism Awards 2024 are:
1. Nature Optimistic
- Gold: Denis Non-public Island – Seychelles
Denis Non-public Island was recognised for its holistic strategy to sustainable tourism, which prioritises the restoration and conservation of the island’s pure habitats and wildlife. The eco-lodge’s operations fund this work and are pushed by the homeowners' deep dedication to the Seychelles’ environmental heritage.
- Silver: !Khwa ttu San Tradition and Training Centre – South Africa
One to Watch: HBD Príncipe – São Tomé and Príncipe
One to Watch: Plett Ocean – South Africa
2. Using and Upskilling Native Communities
- Gold: Grootbos Lodge & the Inexperienced Futures Faculty – South Africa
The Grootbos Basis received a Accountable Tourism Award for leveraging tourism to drive sustainable growth. Funded by the enterprise and donors, the inspiration has offered coaching to over 200 graduates, entrepreneurship help to almost 1,000 people, and
empowered feminine biodiversity stewards. These initiatives display the inspiration’s dedication to investing in native communities and conserving the distinctive fynbos ecosystem.
- Silver: Save Wildlife – Uganda
- One to Watch: Matoke Excursions – Uganda
- One to Watch HBD: Príncipe – São Tomé and Príncipe
3. Making Journey Inclusive
- Gold: Warrior on Wheels Basis – South Africa
Warrior on Wheels received a Accountable Tourism Award for its work offering empowering sport and journey experiences for youngsters with disabilities, altering perceptions and bridging gaps between able-bodied and differently-abled communities. As a not-for-profit reliant on
sponsorships and partnerships, Warrior on Wheels has hosted over 89 experiences for greater than 100 households since its founding eight years in the past.
- One to Watch: Bontel Adventures – Kenya
4. Growing Native Sourcing – Creating Shared Worth
Gold: Okavango Gin
Okavango Gin received a Accountable Tourism Award for its sustainable and community-focused practices. The gin makes use of regionally sourced substances, is distilled off-grid, and incorporates recycled supplies – creating an genuine product that helps the native financial system. The
firm’s modern strategy has pushed 75% income development and now employs six individuals straight, with extra jobs within the provide chain. The judges have been impressed by how Okavango Gin captures the essence of the Okavango Delta whereas delivering a constructive impression.
Silver: Muhabura Cultural Expertise and Craft Centre – Uganda
5. What Are You DoingAbout Local weather Change?
- Gold: Ecodrop – Zimbabwe
Ecodrop received a Accountable Tourism Award for its modern resolution to get rid of single-use plastic bottles in Southern Africa’s tourism sector. Ecodrop gives reverse osmosis water dispensers and reusable bottles, eradicating over 72,000 plastic bottles at Victoria Falls in simply ten months. The judges have been impressed by Ecodrop’s scalable, destination-level system that reduces waste and petroleum demand, showcasing the viability of this mannequin in tackling plastic air pollution in tourism.
- Silver: Century Metropolis Convention Centre – South Africa
- One to Watch: Sunsail and The Moorings
6. Championing Cultural Range
Gold: Journey to Assist – Kenya & Tanzania
Journey to Assist, a journey company in East and North Africa, received a accountable tourism award for its sustainable and moral practices. The corporate’s mission is to “Journey Consciously, Sustainably and Pretty,” providing experiences that profit native communities. Journey to Assist ensures 80% of funds go on to the native financial system, and the individuals they work with earn a residing wage.
The corporate additionally helps over 3,000 kids's entry to free training, together with English classes, in Maasai areas, contributing to its business recognition.
- Silver: Conventional African Homestays – South Africa
- One to Watch: Come Make We Go – Nigeria
- One to Watch: Cultural Oneness Competition Ghana
Vicky is the co-founder of TravelDailyNews Media Community the place she is the Editor-in Chief. She can be accountable for the day by day operation and the monetary coverage. She holds a Bachelor’s diploma in Tourism Enterprise Administration from the Technical College of Athens and a Grasp in Enterprise Administration (MBA) from the College of Wales.
She has a few years of each tutorial and industrial expertise inside the journey business. She has written/edited quite a few articles in numerous tourism magazines.
