| Some of Africa’s best Sustainable Tourism experiences and operators have been recognised in the 2020 Inspirational Africa Responsible Tourism Awards, across four categories. The Inspirational Africa Responsible Tourism Awards recognise businesses and organisations which can demonstrate the core Responsible Tourism values of transparency and respect, which can show their impact and which inspire others to achieve more in the responsible tourism space. Gold winners in the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards and those for Africa who won Gold in the World Responsible Tourism Awards at WTM London over the last five years were eligible for entry into the 2020 Inspirational Africa Responsible Tourism Awards. Category: Benefitting Local People Gold: Uthando, South Africa. Silver: Coffeebeans Routes, South Africa. Category: Destination Award Gold: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre, South Africa. Silver: Ilha Blue Island Safaris, Ilha de Moçambique. Category: Responsible Business Gold: Spier, South Africa. Silver: Chobe Game Lodge, Botswana. Category: Wildlife Gold: Great Plains Conservation, South Africa. Gold: Marine Dynamics & Dyer Island Conservation Trust, South Africa. |
| In addition to these four categories, there are also Judges’ Awards, given by the judges of any of the World Responsible Tourism Awards. Three of the five which have been announced have been awarded to recipients from Africa. These awards are rare and are used to recognise businesses which achieve in multiple categories and have been recognised by different panels of judges. Grootbos, South Africa.Ol Pejeta, Kenya.Transfrontier Parks Destination (TFPD), South Africa.The rationale for the Judges Awards’ selection can be found here. Megan Oberholzer, Portfolio Director for Africa Travel Week, is proud to see Africa leading the Responsible Tourism charge. “We know there is some stellar work being done by operators and properties in developing strategies to ensure that the beauty of Africa can be enjoyed responsibly – and by generations to come,” she says. “Now, more than ever, we need to work together to #SaveTourism and nurture our continental tourism economy so that we’re primed to thrive again after the COVID-19 crisis”. |