Conservation | Fish for the Future
July 9, 2015Conservation | Namushasha Elephant Deterrent Project
July 11, 2015Compiled Sanet van Zijl
Entries for the Responsible Tourism Awards have opened and tour operators and tourism accommodation establishments can now start submitting.
There are two categories from which the winners of this prestigious award will be selected – operators, which includes shuttles, car rentals and the like and accommodation establishments. All entrants must be registered with the Namibian Tourism Board (NTB) as an individual entity in order to qualify. Entrants must provide evidence of excellent performance which will be measured against the principles of sustainable tourism.
The criteria include building and landscaping, staff, sustainable management, legal compliance, natural resources and social responsibility initiatives aimed at poverty eradication. The minimum entry requirement is that an establishment has proof of a successful routine assessment by Eco Awards Namibia where they achieved a rating of at least four Eco-Flowers. Entrants who have not been audited need to arrange an assessment which must be completed before November 2015.
A more extensive evaluation will take place once finalists have been chosen. Three winners will be selected from each category, with prizes in advertorial and editorial coverage. The first prize is coverage to the value of N$ 250 000, second prize N$ 150 000 and third prize N$ 100 000.
Prizes include N$ 100 000 in cash which will be awarded to the winners for community upliftment in their areas. Entries close on the 31st of August 2015 and judging will take place until February 2016. Finalists will be announced in March 2016.
Winners in each category will be announced at the 2016 Namibia Tourism Expo, which is scheduled to take place from May 18- 21, 2016. Applications are available online at: www.nmh.com.na/tourismexpo
