Tanzania celebrated the first ever responsible tourism day on 28th June 2018 by showcasing the best innovative leaders in driving the sustainable tourism in Tanzania in a cocktail gala dinner theme at Kibo Palace Hotel Arusha.

The 2018 award event is proudly sponsored and supported by both Swiss SECO and UN Inter Agency Cluster for Trade and Productive Capacity and dignified by his Hon. Dr.  Aloyce Nzuki Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Natural Resource and Tourism, Mathew Mwinuka- Permanent Secretary Representative from Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, RTTZ Board Chairman, private tourism sector among the invited guests, distinguished and the tourism community.

We are proud to announce the winners of the 2018 Responsible Tourism Tanzania Awards

Chumbe Island: emerged as a winner in Best in supporting Conservation. Over 20 year’s partnership for management for a marine protected area, one of only two Marine Park Authority that are financially sustainable and private owned.

Four Seasons Safari Lodge -Serengeti: emerged as a winner in a Best in resource efficiency. With a ‘green committee’ that include top management and representatives in all departments, it’s this kind of action that creates change in the behavior and mindset of employees.

& Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge: emerged as a winner in a Best in Community Support and Local Development. 77% of their staff are from the locality, given training and benefits to their staff in the promotion of the development of the community members while supporting various projects around the community business has invested.

Dunia Camp: emerged as a winner in a Best in Female Employment and Gender Support. Over 90% of the staff being women, what more can be said? It has also broken barriers by hiring women in positions predominantly. They are living it and leading by example!

Isoitok Camp: emerged as a winner in a Best in Cultural Preservation authentic cultural experiences based on understanding and integration of local culture, situated deep within a strong cultural community. “It is pure and simple we are accepted as part of the community not an extension of it, our camp is just another boma.

Sayari Camp and & Beyond Group of Lodges and winners in Best in Youth Empowerment and Supporting Future Leaders in Conservation. Proudly to have 2 winners, their companies have put in the effort and both resulted in a tie of scores by the 8 judges. Their commitment to the education of our future conservation leaders is most impressive among the others.

Asilia Africa: emerged as a winner as Best Climate Actions; Their offsetting emissions from 21 properties since 2010 though Carbon Tanzania that is conserving the Yaeda valley gives them this award.

Nature Discovery: emerged as a Best Overall in Implementation of the Largest Number of SDGs. This is the prize whereby a winner will attend this year the World Economic Forum in Geneva with full support from UNCTAD. Significantly, evidenced in the following; SDG 8- Decent work through improving porters working conditions,SDG 13- Carbon reduction -Zero emissions, SDG 7- Clean energy, SDG 1 – Poverty eradication, SDG10- Reducing inequalities Kilimanjaro ethical porter’s standards, SDG 12– Recycling, reducing waste SDG 15- Environmental protection strategies.

For the first time, the awards event was joined by over 120 participants from the tourism industry from Tanzania, Kenya, Botswana, South Africa, Germany, Switzerland to name a few and this award is now being planned as an annual event, to be hosted by Responsible Tourism Tanzania in collaboration with tourism industry partners and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism. The Chief Guest of honor, Dr. Aloyce Nzuki gave the closing remarks at the inaugural event on Thursday saying how impressed he was that over 21 organizations had come forwards with over 90 applications that clearly addressed a huge effort in conservation and the protection of Tanzania’s natural resources, with many aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals.

Ms. Judy Kepher-Gona acted as the Chief Judge of a panel of 8 experts in sustainable tourism. Judy, who is managing director for Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda (STTA) and a member of the World Travel and Tourism Council; who has served as a judge and assessor for Kenya’s Eco-Warrior Award, Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, from 2008-2012, National Geographic Nat Geo World Legacy Awards and Unique Lodges of the World, said the judging procedure was “excellent and extremely secure and independent”.

Responsible Tourism Tanzania and the sponsors of the awards both appreciate and acknowledge the exceptional effort that the tourism stakeholders make towards Tanzanian’s environment and economy. It was unanimously agreed that if we, as Tanzania’s tourism stakeholder, commit ourselves to put the environmental agenda at the top of the table, we will all become winners!