South Africa set to dominate Africa Responsible Tourism Awards

News24 Friday 19th February, 2016

Cape Town - South Africa rules the Africa Responsible Tourism Awards (ARTA), as more than two thirds of the long-listed tourist organisations, initiatives, businesses and projects for the upcoming African Responsible Tourism Awards are based in the southernmost tip of the continent.

The final awards will be announced in Cape Town as part of the Africa Travel Week, taking place from 6 -8 April 2016.

The competition awards responsible tourist initiatives that take responsibility for the environment of African destinations and the local citizens.

"We want to celebrate the shining stars of responsible tourism - the individuals, organisations and destinations working innovatively with local cultures, communities and biodiversity, " ARTA said.

"The variety of organisations which have made it through to the long list this year demonstrates just how powerful a force for good responsible tourism is becoming in Africa, " Heidi van der Watt for ARTA said.

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Last year, South African tourist initiatives were awarded gold in 6 of the 8 categories.

The jury awarded the South African Gansbaai Tourism organisation in the Western Cape the overall gold winner for making Gansbaai a truly responsible tourist destination with a long row of environmental projects.

Several organisations in Gansbaai were also awarded. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in partnership with the Grootbos Foundation was awarded "Best for Poverty Reduction " and Marine Dynamics was awarded "Best for Wildlife Conservation ". South Africa definitely has a reputation to live up to this year.

Winners in the Africa category will automatically be nominated for the world's most prestigious international tourist award World's Responsible Tourism Award, set to take place in London in November this year.

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Source: News24

Source: South Africa set to dominate Africa Responsible Tourism Awards