Who made the list: African Responsible Tourism Awards 2016 finalist

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With nine categories to be won, as well as the much-coveted top spot of Overall Winner 2016, the competition just got real for the finalists. Following an intense debate on the Judging Day in Johannesburg on 1 April, an expert panel of 15 Judges from across the industry have finally selected the finalists from around Africa, including organisations from Botswana, Kenya and Mozambique.

The finalists for the 2016 African Responsible Tourism Awards are:

• !Xaus Lodge
• ATKV Goudini
• Baobab Beach Resort
• Bushmanskloof Wilderness Reserve
• Chitabe Camp
• City of Cape Town
• Conservation Travel Foundation
• Chobe Game Lodge
• Flamingo Tours
• Gansbaai Tourism
• Great Plains Conservation
• Leriba Hotel
• Mara Naboisho Conservancy
• Marine Dynamics
• Ministry of Tourism, Morocco
• National Department of Tourism, South Africa
• Nkwichi Lodge
• Ol Pejeta Conservancy
• Sani Lodge Backpackers
• Sharkspotters
• Simien Lodge
• Segera Retreat
• Spier
• Wilderness Safaris

The supporters of the African Responsible Tourism Awards are:

• Best for Beach Tourism – sponsored by Bulk SMS
• Best Contribution to Cultural Heritage Conservation - supported by Sustainable Tourism Partnership Programme
• Best Accommodation for responsible employment - supported by Thebe Reed
• Best for Poverty Reduction – supported by EDGE Tourism Solutions
• Best Responsible Tourism Marketing Campaign – sponsored by Verde Hotels
• Best for Wildlife Conservation – supported by African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary
• Best for Public Sector Policy/Support – sponsored by the Singer Group
• Best Operator for people with disabilities – supported by Warriors on Wheels Foundation
• People’s Choice in Responsible Tourism – supported by Ticket2Utopia

The award winners will be announced at the 2016 African Responsible Tourism Awards on Thursday 7 April 2016 at 4.30pm at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town. The awards are part of the responsible tourism programme at WTM Africa, which includes two seminar sessions for accommodation providers and tour operators, three panel discussions on wildlife and tourism, responsible tourism and resilience, and the responsible business practices and the bottom-line, and a speed-marketing session focusing on ethical eateries.