Tourism & Travel News South Africa

Western Cape businesses win at responsible tourism at WTM London

The World Travel Market (WTM) London's Responsible Tourism Awards saw an excellent performance from Western Cape businesses Transfrontier Parks Destinations, Grootbos Private Nature Reserve and Marine Dynamics. Transfrontier Parks Destinations won the award for Best Tour Operator, while Grootbos won the award for the Best Accommodation. Marine Dynamics received a Highly Commended award during the ceremony.
Image Source:
Image Source: Grootbos

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is a luxury eco-reserve located close to the Southern tip of Africa. The lodge, situated on 2,500ha of wilderness, contains 791 plant species, of which 100 are endangered and six of which are newly discovered in the reserve – three Milkwood forests which are over 100 years old, and six mammals of conservation concern. Grootbos Private Nature Reserve has also won numerous awards including being named as one of National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World.

Image Source:
Image Source: Marine Dynamics

Marine Dynamics is a shark cage tour operator in Gansbaai. Dedicated to promoting conservation, Marine Dynamics guarantees a marine biologist aboard every shark cage diving trip. They are the only such company that has a registered conservation trust. Marine Dynamics previously won the 2016 African Responsible Tourism Award for Best Wildlife Conservation.

Transfrontier Parks Destinations, which is based in Cape Town, works in Southern Africa’s Transfrontier Peace Parks and adjacent areas. They are committed to the creation of a sustainable business model that becomes an asset for local communities.

“Tourism remains an important economic contributor to both our provincial and national economy, boosting economic growth and supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs. We encourage other companies to be motivated by these excellent results, and continue to work hard in building a sustainable tourism economy,” said Harris.

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