The winners in the 2011 Imvelo Responsible Tourism Awards programme have been announced.
Brett Dungan, CEO of Fedhasa, said the overall winner, selected from the six category winners, was the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company. The judges applauded the company’s overall performance and sustained commitment to responsible practice.
“The company has for many years been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, having been the first business in Africa to achieve Green Globe Certification and one of the first in tourism to achieve the ISO14001 certification through the SABS. It operates a high-impact business in one of the world’s most sensitive and iconic sites, one that is recognised as a World Heritage Site by the UNEP.”
Dungan said particular attention had been given to minimising the impacts that the business had – while recognising the importance and growing international demand for access. “This year the company has transported over 775 000 visitors to the mountain top, making it the Western Cape’s single most important tourist attraction, and nationally only second to the Kruger National Park. It has been a finalist and winner in various categories of Imvelo since 2005, and in spite of its size has managed to hold its own against significant competition for recognition.”
The other category award winners were:
-Best Social Involvement Programme (group): Sun International Zambia.
-Best Social Involvement Programme (independent): African Impact.
-Best Practice - Economic Impact (group): Sun International Zambia.
-Best Practice – Economic Impact (independent): the Backpack and African Travel Centre.
-Best Overall Environmental Management System (group): The Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort
-Best Single Resource Management Programme - Energy Management: Town Lodge Sandton in Grayston Drive.
-Best Single Resource Management Programme – Water Management: The Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort
-Best Single Resource Management Programme - Waste Management (group): Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel in Cape Town.
-Best Single Resource Management Programme – Waste Management (independent): the Backpack and Africa Travel Centre.
-Most Empowered Tourism Business: Southern Sun Hotels Interests.
-Investor in People: Vineyard Hotel and Spa. .
The Fedhasa Chairman’s Award was made to Lorraine Jenks of Hotelstuff/Greenstuff for her commitment to responsible tourism practice in the hospitality industry. “For many years Jenks struggled to instigate green procurement practices. Today, Greenstuff showcases greener alternatives and encourages responsible environmental standards. She collaborates with industry experts on staff training, green certification, carbon-offset schemes and waste and water management,” said Dungan.
Dungan said this year’s entries had been of a very high standard, with no fewer than 159 category entries received and a total of 38 tourism businesses making it to the finals.
“It is clear that after 10 years, Imvelo is certainly making a huge impact on tourism in South Africa, creating significant awareness of environmental management issues in the industry. With tourism being South Africa’s new gold, Imvelo will continue to create awareness of the potential – but also the responsibility – of sustainable tourism.”
The programme is organised by Fedhasa in association with the National Department of Tourism, and is supported by Absa, the Department of Water Affairs, Eskom, the Industrial Development Corporation and Don’t Waste Services.
For more information visit www.imveloawards.co.za
