WTM Africa 2016 was a resounding success for Fair Trade Tourism and its certified clients, with new tour operators signed up and four awards won by Fair Trade Tourism clients at the annual African Responsible Tourism Awards.
Shark cage-diving and whale-watching operator Marine Dynamics netted the People’s Choice Award – a testament to the outstanding conservation work being done by this Gansbaai-based business. !Xaus Lodge in the Northern Cape’s Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park received Gold in the Best for Poverty Reduction category and Sani Lodge backpackers followed hot on its heels with a Silver award in the same category.
Spier won Gold in the Best for Accommodation for Responsible Employment category – a just reward for this Stellenbosch hotel’s ongoing commitment to responsible employment practices. Leriba Hotel and Spa in Centurion was awarded Silver in the same category.
Professor Harold Goodwin, chair of the judging panel, said the judges were looking for winners who would inspire others to use tourism “to make better places for people to live in.”
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Fair Trade Tourism won WTM Africa’s Most Responsible Stand Award for its new-look stand which featured recycled cork flooring and repurposed wood amongst its eco-friendly décor. The organisation also received public accolades from SA Tourism Minister Derek Hanekom during the show for its work in promoting best-practice responsible tourism.
At its annual client networking breakfast at WTM Africa, Fair Trade Tourism announced that it had exceeded the 100 certified businesses mark with tourism businesses within its portfolio. To-date 31 tour operators have also pledged support for Fair Trade Tourism and its certified businesses and have become officially approved to sell Fair Trade Holidays.
“WTM Africa’s commitment to responsible tourism and its dedicated programme of responsible tourism events and panel discussions is to be lauded” says Fair Trade Tourism’s Managing Director, Nivashnee Naidoo. “It was evident at the show that the principle of best-practice responsible tourism is starting to become mainstream.
“We would particularly like to thank our sharing exhibitors – The Vineyard Group; Marine Dynamics, Thaba Eco Hotel, Antrim Villa, Kololo Private Game Reserve, SAASA and the Mercure Group for their support and contributions to making the show such a huge success.”
WTM Africa, which is held annually in Cape Town in April, attracts more than 3,000 of the most senior executives interested in the African travel industry.
