Record entries for Imvelo tourism award

Organised by the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) in conjunction with Absa, Eskom, the IDC, the National Department of Tourism and the Tourism Empowerment Council of South Africa, it awards tourism businesses that demonstrate sustained responsible practice in their operations in terms of their natural, social and economic environments.

Judges

This year's judges are Helen Turnbull of Serendipity Africa, Stewart Lumka of the Department of Finance, Dr Johann Kotzé, tourism consultant, Anita Vernes of Thanda Private Game Reserve, Mohato Mokhobo of Eskom, Pumelelo Mguye of Pikitup, Zanele Maphumulo of the Department of Water Affairs and Michael Nkosi of the National Department of Tourism.

Awards will be made in the categories Best social involvement programme, Best practice - economic impact, Best overall environmental management system, Best single resource management programme - for energy, water and waste, Most empowered tourism business and Investor in people. An overall Imvelo winner will be selected.

A Chairman's Award could be made at the discretion of the FEDHASA chairman to any Imvelo entrant or any other organisation in the tourism industry that made a significant contribution to responsible tourism over the past year.

Finalists will be announced in October and winners will receive their awards at an awards ceremony to be held in Johannesburg on World Responsible Tourism Day, 10 November 2010.