Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards announce judges

They are:

• Helen Turnbull of Serendipity Africa
  
• Shiva Makotoko of Absa Business Bank
  
• Mary Murphy of Full Cycle
  
• Anita Vernes of Thanda Private Game Reserve
  
• Mike Nkosi of the national Department of Tourism
  
• Busisiwe Tshabalala of the Department of Water Affairs
  
• Mohato Mokhobo of Eskom
  
• Mark Smuts of Don't Waste Services

FEDHASA CEO Brett Dungan says since its inception ten years ago, the competition has always put emphasis on the experience of judges. "The credentials of our judges speak for themselves. We see them as playing a pivotal role in assisting entrants to improve existing or implement new responsible tourism programmes."

Categories, deadline

This year's categories are:

• Best social involvement programme
  
• Best practice - economic impact
  
• Best overall environmental management system
  
• Best single resource management programme - water, waste or energy
  
• Most empowered tourism business
  
• Investor in people

An overall winner will be selected from these categories.

Entrants may enter in more than one category but entries must stipulate the category or categories that apply. Entries should reach the organisers by 31 August 2011, after which the judging process will take place. The 2011 Imvelo winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Johannesburg on World Responsible Tourism Day, 9 November.

Evaluation visits

Top scoring establishments will be visited by experts from the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme and a final recommendation on winning entries made to the judging panel.

"Over the years our judging process has been refined considerably and we are confident that the awards showcase the best of the best in terms of responsible tourism in the region," Dungan concludes.

For more information, go to www.imveloawards.co.za.