Finalists announced for the African Responsible Tourism Awards 2015

14 Apr 2015

Following a heated debate in Cape Town on 13 April 2015, a panel of 10 Judges from across the industry have selected the finalists from around Africa.

A tented camp set on Namibia's Skeleton Coast, an eco-lodge in the Gambia, and a whole cluster of businesses in South Africa dedicated to responsible tourism are among the organisations selected as finalists for the African Responsible Tourism Awards 2015, sponsored by Wesgro and organised by Better Tourism Africa.

Finalists announced for the African Responsible Tourism Awards 2015

Who will take the top spot?

With just seven categories to be won, as well as the much-coveted top spot of 'Overall Winner' 2015, the competition just got real for the finalists announced.

Following an intense debate on the Judging Day in Cape Town on 13April, an expert panel of 10 Judges from across the industry have finally selected the finalists from around Africa, including organisations from Botswana, South Africa, Uganda and Tanzania.

The finalists for the African Responsible Tourism Awards are:

!Khwa ttu San Culture and Education Centre

andBeyond Rhinos without Borders

Bartholomeus Klip Farmhouse

Bigodi Wetlands Sanctuary

Chobe Game Lodge

Chumbe Island Coral Park

City of Cape Town

Coffeebeans Routes

Gansbaai

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in partnership with the Grootbos Foundation

Marine Dynamics

My Slow Journey

Nkwichi Lodge

Nuarro Lodge

Sandele Eco-Retreat and Learning Centre

Stormsriver Adventures

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company

The Good Holiday

Transfrontier Parks Destinations Foundation - Baleni Camp

Transfrontier Parks Destinations

Vineyard Hotel

Wilderness Safaris - Hoanib Skeleton Coast Camp

The supporters of the African Responsible Tourism Awards are:

Best Blog - supported by Cape Town Tourism

Best for Beach Tourism - supported by Shark Spotters and BulkSMS.com

Best Destination for Responsible Tourism - supported by the V&A Waterfront

Best for engaging people and culture - supported by Gauteng Tourism Authority

Best for Poverty Reduction - supported by Marine Dynamics

Best for Resource Management - supported by the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa

Best for Wildlife Conservation - supported by South Africa National Parks

And the winner is...

The award winners will be announced at the 2015 African Responsible Tourism Awards on Thursday, 16 April 2015, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The awards are part of the responsible tourism programme at WTM Africa, which kicks off with the 11th International Responsible Tourism in Destinations conference on 14 and 15 April, and will have 18 speakers from Europe, India and Africa.

Heidi van der Watt, founder of the Awards and managing director of Better Tourism Africa, says of the finalists: "Represented in this year's finalists are some of the most trendsetting examples of responsible tourism in Africa! From a community-focussed birding destination to a rhino relocation programme, from comprehensive greening efforts to revival of traditional economic activities - the Shortlist has a lot to say about where responsible tourism on the continent is, and where it is going next."

Reflecting on the decisions made on the Judging Day was Professor Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Judging Panel and Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism: "This is not just the Judges' Shortlist - the judges can only select from amongst those who are nominated and make the considerable effort required to apply. For each finalist we've chosen, there are many others doing ground-breaking work we're looking forward to seeing who will be nominated next year. I'd like to thank all those who came forward to share their inspiring stories with the judging panel, and hope they'll join in celebrating the winners on Thursday."

Looking forward to the ceremony is Tim Harris, Chief Executive Officer of Wesgro: "We would like to congratulate all those selected by the Judges for the African Responsible Tourism Awards Shortlist this year. These forward thinking and innovative organisations are true examples of how we can take the tourism industry to new heights in a sustainable and attractive manner. We look forward to the awards ceremony on 16 April at World Travel Market Africa, where we will celebrate the winners in person."

For more, go to www.responsibletravel.com/awards/africa