WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards highlighted the continent’s Sustainability Trailblazers at Africa Travel Week 2024 and several of these are in and around Cape Town.
The winners of the prestigious World Travel Market Africa (WTMA) Responsible Tourism Awards were announced at Africa Travel Week 2024 in Cape Town. Bangu Masisi of Transfrontier Parks Destinations revealed the honorees, celebrating businesses and initiatives that are making a positive impact through responsible tourism practices.
“These awards are integral to WTM Africa’s responsible tourism programme, and spotlighting those that have truly made a difference is important for the encouragement of others to do the same,” said Masisi.
Alderman James Vos opened the awards ceremony, congratulating the winners and emphasising the importance of sustainable business practices in the tourism industry. “When it comes to sustainable business practices, let’s keep pushing those boundaries,” said Vos.
The 2024 awards included six categories, with gold and silver winners presented with trophies created by Ngwenya Glass, five of eight global winners came from Africa in the Global Responsible Tourism Awards in 2023.
Harold Goodwin, WTM Africa’s responsible tourism advisor and one of the judges, said, “Congratulations to the winners. I am also very excited about those acknowledged as ‘ones to watch’ in the awards. Those are often new ideas from new people, and it’s very exciting to see these businesses come to the fore.”
The winners of the World Travel Market Africa (WTMA) Responsible Tourism Awards 2024 – Gold and Silver – in and around Cape Town were in the following categories:
EMPLOYING AND UPSKILLING LOCAL COMMUNITIES
Gold: Grootbos Lodge & the Green Futures College
The Grootbos Foundation won a Responsible Tourism Award for leveraging tourism to drive sustainable development. Funded by the business and donors, the foundation has provided training to over 200 graduates, entrepreneurship support to nearly 1,000 individuals, and empowered female biodiversity stewards. These initiatives demonstrate the foundation’s commitment to investing in local communities and conserving the unique fynbos ecosystem.
The Grootbos Foundation won a Responsible Tourism Award for leveraging tourism to drive sustainable development. Funded by the business and donors, the foundation has provided training to over 200 graduates, entrepreneurship support to nearly 1,000 individuals, and empowered female biodiversity stewards. These initiatives demonstrate the foundation’s commitment to investing in local communities and conserving the unique fynbos ecosystem.
MAKING TRAVEL INCLUSIVE
Gold: Warrior on Wheels Foundation
Warrior on Wheels won a Responsible Tourism Award for its work providing empowering sport and adventure experiences for children with disabilities, changing 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 more than 100 families since its founding eight years ago.
NATURE POSITIVE
Silver: !Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre
WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?
Silver: Century City Conference Centre
The Gold winners in the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards are automatically entered into the Sabre Global Responsible Tourism Awards.
WHAT: WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards
WHERE: Announced at Africa Travel Week 2024 in Cape Town
PHOTO: Warrior on Wheels Foundation
See also Cape Town Green Map
