For the second year running, Wesgro – the tourism, trade and investment promotion agency for the Western Cape – is the main sponsor for the 2016 African Responsible Tourism Awards.
Winners of the 2016 African Responsible Tourism Awards, part of the World Responsible Tourism Awards, will be announced at the Cape Town International Convention Centre during Africa Travel Week 2016. The awards are organised by Better Tourism Africa, with support from Responsible Travel.
Carol Weaving, Managing Director for Thebe Reed Exhibitions, organiser of WTM Africa, says: “As WTM Africa grows and develops as Africa’s leading travel and tourism event, we are so encouraged by the incremental interest shown in the importance of Responsible Tourism. It is integral to the success of tourism on the continent. All stakeholders have a duty to ensure education, sustainability and authenticity when promoting the unique experiences that Africa has to offer.We are proud to host the African Responsible Tourism Awards once again, here in Cape Town at the CTICC at WTM Africa”
Responsible Travel’s Managing Director Justin Francis, comments: “With the launch of the second African Responsible Tourism Awards we’re excited to uncover more businesses which are changing the face of African tourism; the passionate individuals and organisations who by caring for communities and conservation are creating better places to live as well as better places to visit. I’d like to encourage tourism businesses across the continent to submit an entry – big or small, we want to hear your story.”
Entries for the 2016 African Responsible Tourism Awards open on Thursday 3 December 2015, and can be made on the Awards website until 15 January 2016. As part of the World Responsible Tourism Awards family, the judging process for the African Responsible Tourism Awards is chaired by Harold Goodwin, Professor of Responsible Tourism at Manchester Metropolitan University, and Director of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism and Chair of the main World Responsible Tourism Awards judging panel since its inception.
“The launch of the African Responsible Tours Awards as part of the family of World Responsible Tourism Awards with the presentations to the gold and silver winners at WTM London and WTM Africa raises awareness of the importance of taking responsibility for making tourism better and celebrates those who are making a difference. Africa featured strongly in the World Awards this year – the judges can only recognise those who are nominated, please spread the world and encourage those you admire to apply in 2016.”
