Now in their third year, the awards recognise outstanding organisations and individuals driving positive environmental, social and economic impact across Africa’s tourism sector and received more than 100 entries across ten categories.

Each winner received a trophy handcrafted by the FlipFlopi Project – an East African movement dedicated to ending single-use plastic pollution through community-led circular economies. Makers of the world’s first recycled plastic sailing dhow, the FlipFlopi Project embodies the values these awards exist to celebrate. The trophies were revealed for the first time on the night.

2026 ATTA® for Action Awards Winners

• ATTA® Purpose & People Award — TAMàNA (Madagascar)
• ATTA® Earthkeepers Award — Gamewatchers Safaris (Kenya)
• ATTA® Eco-Innovation Award — Porini Safari Camps, Gamewatchers Safaris (Kenya)
• ATTA® Zero Waste Trailblazer Award — Sirikoi Lodge (Kenya)
• ATTA® Community Upliftment Award — Nomad Tanzania (Tanzania)
• ATTA® Marine Impact Award — andBeyond (South Africa)
• ATTA® Collaborative Impact Award — The Safari Collection (Kenya)
• ATTA® Traveller Education and Awareness Award — Blood Lions and Marine Dynamics (South Africa) (joint winners)
• ATTA® Media Voice for Action Award — Marco Barneveld, Wide Oyster Media (Netherlands)
• ATTA® Emerging Changemaker Award — Travel4Purpose (Kenya)

Each award category was assessed against rigorous criteria designed to identify organisations delivering measurable impact. From ethical wildlife experiences and marine conservation initiatives to community empowerment programmes, circular economy innovations and traveller education campaigns, the awards recognise leadership that goes beyond aspiration and demonstrates tangible outcomes.

The joint award in the Traveller Education and Awareness category – shared by Blood Lions and Marine Dynamics – was a direct reflection of the quality of entries. The judges recognised the two organisations as excelling in distinct but equally vital dimensions of the same challenge: one for advocacy and policy change, the other for direct traveller engagement and measurable conservation outcomes.

This year also marks the first time in the awards’ history that a single organisation has won across two categories in the same year. Gamewatchers Safaris and their Porini Safari Camps claimed both the Earthkeepers and Eco-Innovation Awards – a result that speaks to the depth and consistency of a conservation model nearly three decades in the making. In 2024, the inaugural year of the awards, they were recognised for their collaborative approach. TAMàNA, meanwhile, returns as a multi-year winner, claiming the Eco-Innovation Award in 2025 and, this year, recognised for heritage tourism leadership in an entirely different category. Marine Dynamics similarly becomes a two-time winner across the awards’ history, previously recognised for marine conservation and this year for traveller education – a testament to the breadth of their work.

Virginia Messina, Group CEO of ATTA®, said: “The ATTA® for Action Awards exist to celebrate the organisations and individuals proving that tourism can be one of Africa’s most powerful forces for positive change. Across the continent, we continue to see extraordinary leadership in conservation, community empowerment, cultural preservation and environmental innovation. In many ways, African tourism businesses have been pioneering responsible tourism practices for decades, often developing solutions that the wider global industry is only now beginning to embrace.

“As an association, we will continue to champion evidence-based responsible tourism, showcase innovation from across Africa, and provide our members with the knowledge, tools and inspiration they need to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape. The future of African tourism depends on protecting the very people, places and wildlife that make the continent so extraordinary, and these winners are showing what that future can look like.”

The ATTA® for Action Awards form part of ATTA®’s broader commitment to advancing responsible tourism across Africa and supporting members in creating measurable, positive impact for people, places and the planet.

For a full list of winners and finalists, visit: https://awards.atta.travel/winners-finalists-2026/

The recognition in Indaba’s Inspirational Awards rounds off a landmark 12 months for the EcoTraining team.

In the past year, EcoTraining became the first and only field guidetraining provider in South Africa to offer university-level NQF5 qualifications accredited by the Council on Higher Education.

In September, it was named Best Education Study Abroad Provider at the 2025 Global Youth Travel Awards in Lisbon.

Now, South African Tourism has recognised the organisation for innovation in conservation education through its Inspirational Awards.

Bringing the bush to a global audience

Over 33 years, EcoTraining has trained more than 17,000 people from 33 countries at its immersive, unfenced camps in South Africa, Botswana and Kenya. Its graduates lead safaris across the continent. Close to a thousand have come from China alone, returning home as guides and guardians of the African wilderness.

The Indaba judges recognised the way EcoTraining is opening the world of conservation to people who can’t always reach the bush. In 2023, it launched the Online Field & Trails Guide Programme, making FGASA-accredited training available anywhere through virtual classrooms, live lectures and field videos, with the option to follow up with an immersive in-camp practical.

Other online courses, including the newly launched Inside the Pride, which explores the evolution, ecology and behaviour of lions, allow guides, wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists to broaden their knowledge and safeguard Africa’s vulnerable species and natural heritage – alongside courses in ecology, wildlife photography, birding and tracking, designed for travellers who want to add more onto a traditional Big-5 safari.

Recognition with a wider message

The Indaba Inspirational Awards honour innovation, inspiration, empowerment, and excellence across African tourism, and the recognition means a great deal to the entire team.

“Three achievements in a single year tell us something bigger is happening,” says EcoTraining’s MD, Anton Lategan. “People want travel that means something. They want to understand the places they visit and leave them better than they found them. Our job is to keep building the courses, camps, guides and advocates that make that possible.”

EcoTraining has delivered guide training in eight countries over the last year and is honoured to train the safari guides of A&K Sanctuary, Londolozi, Great Plains Botswana, the Female Nature Guide Training Programme of African Bush Camps Foundation, and many other top safari organisations. Alongside this, EcoTraining’s wider course range continues to grow, with career courses for school leavers, guides, career-changers, gap year students, mature learners and lifelong conservationists, online and in the bush.

The Federated Hospitality Association of South Africa (FEDHASA) and Fair Trade Tourism (FTT) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), formalising a strategic partnership aimed at advancing responsible tourism practices across Southern Africa’s hospitality sector.

The agreement was signed on 22 April 2026 and officially launched at Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026 by Jaya Naidoo, General Manager FEDHASA KZN & Eastern Cape and FTT General Manager Grace Stead, establishing a framework to promote and advocate for responsible tourism principles and practices among their members and the broader industry. This includes providing educational opportunities (such as webinars, workshops, and digital learning hubs), networking, capacity-building, and market access, as well as collaborating on policy, research, projects, and events that encourage ethical tourism.

The partnership will also help to advance the tourism industry’s operational standards, with partners agreeing to meet quarterly to share relevant information and updates, review progress, and identify new opportunities. This ensures alignment across both organisations and avoids duplication or unnecessary competition.

The timely partnership comes as 45% of international travellers turn to accommodation with certified sustainable credentials, according to Booking.com’s 2024 Sustainable Travel Report. At the same time, the EU Directive on Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (Directive 2024/825), which becomes binding from 27 September 2026, is reshaping the terms on which international markets engage with tourism products. It is evident that, for South African hospitality businesses competing for international visitors, verified sustainability credentials are fast becoming a prerequisite for market access.

“Responsible tourism, once a niche positioning strategy, is now the direction the global market is moving in, and South African hospitality needs to move with it,” said Naidoo. “Our partnership with FTT gives our members a direct connection to one of Africa’s most credible and established responsible tourism certification frameworks. This is FEDHASA in action: removing barriers, opening doors, and ensuring our members have what they need to compete and lead.”

FTT is a leading African responsible tourism certification body, operating across South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Uganda. Its certification standard, which is independently reviewed and confirmed as compliant with Travalyst initiative, encompasses fair wages and working conditions, equitable distribution of benefits, ethical business practices, and environmental stewardship.

“South Africa’s tourism recovery is significant – 10.5 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels, as reported by the National Department of Tourism. But recovery alone is not enough. The businesses that will thrive in the next decade are those that can demonstrate, credibly and verifiably, that they are operating in a way that is good for both people and the planet,” noted Stead.    

“FEDHASA’s membership represents a notable portion of South Africa’s hospitality industry, and this partnership means we can reach them with the tools, knowledge, and support they need to make that transition at scale,” she explained. 

The partnership will be reviewed annually and is in effect for an initial period of 36 months. The signing marks the beginning of a collaboration that both organisations intend to build on progressively, with joint initiatives to be announced in the months ahead.

This expansion, led by Sigma International (www.sigmaintl.co.za ) in collaboration with key industry partners and tourism leaders, signals a bold step forward in embedding environmental responsibility, enterprise development, and inclusive growth into the tourism ecosystem. The activation took place ahead of Africa’s Travel Indaba 2026.

From Concept to Movement: Scaling a National Green Lung

Following the successful launch at Vergelegen Wine Estate, where the initiative positioned itself as a “living showroom where ESD meets ESG” — the Brahman Hills expansion represents the next phase: scaling a replicable, place-based model across South Africa.

What began with the planting of 250 trees linked to SMME carbon reduction is now evolving into a national movement, with each Green Lung acting as:

• A carbon-reduction and biodiversity restoration hub
• A platform for SMME participation and visibility
• A living symbol of tourism’s commitment to regenerative practices

A Legacy Activation for Africa’s Travel Indaba

Timed strategically around Africa’s Travel Indaba, the Brahman Hills Green Lung is positioned as a legacy activation for the continent’s premier tourism gathering. It demonstrates how the sector can move beyond dialogue into visible, measurable action.

This initiative reinforces a powerful message:

The private sector is not waiting. It is leading.

By anchoring the Green Lung within real destinations, the tourism industry is:

• Translating ESG commitments into tangible, on-the-ground action
• Creating credible, verifiable sustainability narratives aligned with global expectations
• Enabling SMMEs to actively participate in climate solutions

Brahman Hills: A Natural Partner in Conservation and Innovation

Set in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Brahman Hills brings deep alignment to the initiative through its longstanding commitment to conservation, biodiversity, and thoughtful land stewardship.

The Green Lung will be integrated into the estate’s broader environmental vision, including its 22-hectare Serenity Garden and landscape restoration programme, positioning the site as both:

• A conservation asset
• And an immersive, experiential tourism destination rooted in serenity, wellness and excellence

The development also coincides with Brahman Hills’ ambitious plans to establish one of the largest labyrinths in the world, reinforcing its role as an innovative, globally relevant tourism attraction.

Leadership Voices

Akash Singh, CEO of Sigma International:

“What we are seeing today is the transition from a single project into a movement. The Green Lung is no longer just a concept. It is becoming infrastructure for impact.
This is where enterprise development meets environmental responsibility in a way that is visible, credible, and scalable. Through this expansion, we are demonstrating that tourism can lead South Africa’s ESG agenda,  with SMMEs at the centre of that journey.”

Jerry Mabena: Chairman of the Board Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)

“Tourism has always been about connection, between people, places, and purpose.
The Green Lung takes that further by connecting growth with responsibility.
This is the kind of leadership our sector needs: practical, inclusive, and forward-looking.”

Onwaba Gonyora: Executive Director, Brahman Hills

“Partnering on the Green Lung aligns deeply with our philosophy of stewardship and long-term land care. This is not just about planting trees. It is about planting legacy, restoring balance, and creating spaces where people and nature can thrive together. These trees will long outlive us. They will cast shade for future generations”

Driving ESG, ESD and SDG Alignment

The Tourism & Travel Green Lung directly contributes to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 8: Decent Work & Economic Growth (through SMME development)
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production
• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 15: Life on Land

By integrating Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) outcomes, the initiative creates a rare, practical convergence of economic inclusion and environmental stewardship.

A New Model for Tourism Leadership

As global markets increasingly demand verified sustainability practices, initiatives like the Green Lung position South Africa’s tourism sector as:

• Proactive rather than reactive
• Credible rather than aspirational
• Inclusive rather than exclusive

The model is designed for replication across provinces and regions and ultimately creating a network of Green Lungs that collectively contribute to national climate resilience and inclusive economic growth.

Positioning Statement

“The Tourism & Travel Green Lung is a living commitment  where tourism gives back to the environments and communities that sustain it. From Vergelegen to Brahman Hills, and beyond, it represents a growing movement of purpose-led collaboration, rooted in action and built for legacy.”

The move forms part of a broader effort to raise global awareness of Saint Helena’s hiking offering, while improving access to accurate, user-friendly route information for visitors.

“Our island is genuinely unlike anywhere else, offering an extraordinary combination of volcanic scenery and rich biodiversity,” says Jonathan Passaportis, Head of Tourism for St Helena. “By improving free digital access to our trails, we’re making it easier for travellers to explore confidently and discover the scenery that makes St Helena so special.”

The Post Box Walks are the island’s established trail network, covering a wide range of difficulty levels and landscapes. Some follow coastal paths with views over the South Atlantic. Others cut through National Conservation Areas where less than 700 endemic St Helena plovers call home.

“A few walks directly through the island’s history, including routes near Longwood House, where Napoleon Bonaparte spent his years of exile, and others lead to East India Company coastal fortifications,” Passaportis adds.

Although routes are clearly signposted and graded for all skill levels, he highlights how getting accurate, up-to-date route information online for St Helena’s hiking network has historically been a challenge. By listing on Outdooractive, a leading digital platform for outdoor enthusiasts, the island’s trails are now searchable, mappable, and available offline, which matters when you’re somewhere this remote.

St Helena has always been a travel-list-topping destination for intrepid travellers, but Passaportis emphasises how the island’s remote location means we are often viewed as an untouched and difficult frontier.

“By showcasing our spectacular Post Box Walks on Outdooractive, we are quite literally placing our island into the hands of global hikers. This isn’t just about mapping routes; it’s about giving travellers the confidence to immerse themselves knowing they have world-class digital guidance in their pocket,” he concludes.

The routes are live now and free to access here.

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Cape Town: The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026 were presented today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, recognising 22 organisations across 13 countries who are delivering measurable impact for people, places and nature.

The ceremony was MC-ed by Rachel Nxele, board member of SANParks, with special guest speaker Alderman James Vos, Mayoral Committee Member for Economic Growth at the City of Cape Town. The awards span five categories – Championing Cultural Diversity; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; Local Economic Benefit; Nature Positive; and Regenerative Tourism – and are run in partnership with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT).

“These awards are both celebration and evidence – recognising those organisations that are building dignity, protecting nature and honouring heritage.” – Rachel Nxele, board member, SANParks; MC, WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026

Nxele framed the awards around a single, challenging question: can you prove it? “The awards recognise real work, real commitment and real impact,” she said. “The work that happens when no-one is watching.”

Alderman James Vos echoed that emphasis on demonstrable outcomes. The awards, he said, are “about showing impact” – because if you cannot show impact, it means “nothing to no-one”.

Vos described the awards as an important showcase of “how it can be done and how it should be done” and called on the industry to build more “tourism-preneurs” – to create greater longevity and broader economic opportunity.

THE TROPHIES

This year’s winners received trophies that are, in themselves, a statement of intent.

Gold and silver winners received handmade protea trophies crafted by Cape Gypsea, each one unique. The delicate inner petals are formed from the pages of recycled books; the bold outer petals from vibrant Shweshwe fabric, locally sourced with a focus on eco-conscious biodegradability. Together, they bring past and present into a single object – forgotten stories and living African tradition, side by side.

Organisations recognised as “One-to-Watch” received a bottle of Painted Wolf Wines, which is this year celebrating 20 years of wines for conservation. The company takes its name from Lycaon pictus – the scientific name for the African wild dog – and has donated 4% of sales to conservation since it was founded. By supporting African wild dogs, that support flows throughout the ecosystems and communities that share wild spaces across the continent.

THE 2026 RESPONSIBLE TOURISM WINNERS

The 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Award Gold winners are:

Ele Collection Zimbabwe – Nature Positive
Plastic waste is transformed into construction grade aggregate, reducing extraction pressure on natural systems while providing income to community collectors and educating visitors through factory tours. The judges praised the circular model for turning a major environmental threat into longterm infrastructure value while strengthening community livelihoods.

RuralRevive Namibia – Regenerative Tourism
RuralRevive’s “Building a Desert Based Economy Initiative” is conceptualised and driven by the Wolwedans Foundation. It is transforming the tourism economy around Maltahöhe through climate appropriate horticulture, local enterprise development and systems that reconnect tourism with community livelihoods. The judges recognised Rural Revive for addressing deep-rooted structural challenges by rebuilding local food systems, restoring dignity through work and creating a resilient desert based economy.

Saruni Basecamp Kenya – Regenerative Tourism
A community conservancy model has generated more than 1.5 million dollars for 6,605 landowners, conserved more than 414,000 hectares and embedded regenerative food systems and women’s economic empowerment across 13 camps. The judges commended Saruni Basecamp for demonstrating how long-term lease agreements and bed night fees can secure large and connected landscapes for wildlife, while strengthening local livelihoods.

Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company South Africa – Local Economic Benefit
Local procurement has increased from 29 percent in 2017 to 89 percent today, supporting more than 150 small businesses and providing mentorship and certification support to 67 SMMEs. The judges highlighted TMACC’s commitment to developing suppliers beyond the Cableway itself, helping entrepreneurs strengthen operations and access wider tourism markets.

Traditional African Homestays Southern Africa – Championing Cultural Diversity
A fast-growing network of heritage homestays enables visitors to become part of village life while ensuring most fee income stays within communities, with expansion now reaching Eswatini and Botswana. The judges noted the remarkable year-on-year growth, with more than R6 million generated and 70–80 percent of income remaining in host communities, demonstrating a scalable model of cultural preservation and community empowerment.

V&A Waterfront Academy Cape Town – Local Economic Benefit
Since 2023, 315 young people have been placed into employment, with 90 percent securing fulltime jobs for the first time and 15 small businesses supported through the Watershed craft market. The Academy’s model addresses a critical gap by supporting both young workers and the businesses that hire them during the fragile first six months of employment.

The 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Award silver winners are:

Elephant Human Relations Aid Namibia – Regenerative Tourism
Human elephant conflict incidents have fallen from 92 in 2023 to just 12 so far in 2026, with no elephants shot as problem animals in 2025, across more than 2 million hectares.

Graskop Gorge Lift Company South Africa – Nature Positive
A zero impact access system protects critically endangered species such as the Graskop cliff aloe while sourcing most procurement within 100 kilometres.

Green Planet & TUI Care Foundation Egypt– Championing Cultural Diversity
The Colourful Cultures programme supports artists, artisans and community hosts through training in hospitality, storytelling and entrepreneurship, connecting them to tourism markets through hotel, tour operator and online partnerships.

Imvelo Safari Lodges – Regenerative Tourism
Longterm coexistence work includes water management, antipoaching deterrence and the successful reintroduction of white rhinos.

LUX Marijani Zanzibar – Local Economic Benefit
Local suppliers are embedded into the resort’s value chain, generating consistent income for fishers, farmers, transport providers and women’s cooperatives.

Saruni Wild Kenya – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
A structured internship programme has shifted staff representation from an allmale team in 2015 to nearly one third women today, including a female Assistant Manager and equal gender representation among interns.

TUI Futureshapers North Africa – Local Economic Benefit
The programme supports more than 180 young entrepreneurs across Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia, strengthens local value chains and creates jobs through locally led tourism businesses.

Unexplored Cape Town – Championing Cultural Diversity
Inclusive, community rooted food tours take guests into neighbourhood kitchens and markets, supporting small vendors and welcoming travellers with disabilities while showcasing diverse African and diaspora food cultures.

The 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Award one-to-watch winners are:

AgroTourism Park by Eco Terra Vista Tours Rwanda – Local Economic Benefit
A grassroots model integrating smallholder farming, cultural heritage and tourism ensures revenue stays in rural communities historically excluded from tourism value chains.

Cape Tourist Guides Association South Africa – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Recognised for strengthening representation by ensuring guides reflect South Africa’s cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic diversity.

Desert & Delta Safaris Botswana – Championing Cultural Diversity
The Okavango Marathon Project offers an immersive cultural journey through remote communities along the Okavango Panhandle, meeting fishermen, travelling by mokoro with community guides and engaging with the San community at Tsodilo.

Green Safaris Zambia and Malawi – Regenerative Tourism
Mukuni Organic Farm and hydrological restoration using cascading check dams demonstrate a regenerative approach to restoring degraded land.

Jacada Travel Zimbabwe – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
A Female Guides of the Future initiative supports women to access high-level guiding roles through training, mentorship and career pathways in partnership with the Wilderness Trust.

Spekboom Southern Africa – Nature Positive
A tour company offering an automated split payment model channels 2.5 per cent of every booking directly to conservation or community causes at no extra cost to guests.

TUI Care Foundation Field to Fork Tanzania – Regenerative Tourism
Strengthens regenerative food systems, supports local farmers and links sustainable agriculture with tourism markets. One of nine projects worldwide.

TUI Turtle Aid and Project Diversity, Cape Verde – Nature Positive

More than 1.2 million endangered turtle hatchlings have been protected  since 2017 by TUI with local partner Project Biodiversity.

THE JUDGES

The judges of the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards were chaired by Emeritus Professor Harold Goodwin, managing director of the Responsible Tourism Partnership and founder ICRT global and included Glynn O’ Leary Transfrontier Parks Destinations and ICRT Southern Africa, Ruth Crichton regional head Southern Africa the Long Run and ICRT Southern Africa, Adama Bah, Institute of Travel and Tourism of The Gambia (ITTOG) and ICRT West Africa, Martin Brackenbury formerly IFTO and UN Advisor, Kerry Carmichael founder of Echo and Tiomóid Foley, net zero tourism manager, business development and intermediary marketing at Visit Scotland

Debbie Hindle, chair of the International Centre for Responsible Tourism Global, closed the proceedings by congratulating all the winners –and in particular the gold winners, who now have the opportunity to compete in the Global Responsible Tourism Awards and take their stories to the international stage.

Olivia Gradidge, marketing manager WTM Africa and ILTM Africa said: “At WTM Africa, we’re proud to shine a light on these inspiring organisations. It’s truly an honour to recognise the outstanding work of the winners and witness the innovative strides our industry is making every year. This highlight on our events calendar reflects our commitment to championing responsible tourism that benefits people, places, and nature.”  

Full citations for all winners are available at www.icrt.global.

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Rosebank hotel recognised for embedding sustainability into infrastructure, operations, and community impact

(Pictured left to right: Jessica Redinger: General Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Charity Mabuza: Rooms Divisions Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank; Cindy-Lee Cloete: WESSA CEO; Karel Mienie: Facilities Manager, Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank)

Johannesburg, South Africa: Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank has officially been awarded Green Key certification, an internationally recognised eco-label for tourism establishments committed to responsible and sustainable practices. Managed in South Africa by WESSA (The Wildlife & Environment Society of South Africa), the programme includes independent audits and annual verification, ensuring that certification reflects sustained performance rather than a once-off achievement.

Speaking at the official handover, WESSA CEO Cindy-Lee Cloete emphasised that Green Key certification represents more than compliance: “Green Key certification reflects a real commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism, and continuously improving how we operate as a hospitality establishment. This achievement is not just about receiving a certificate – it is about recognising the journey, the effort, and the people behind it.”

Sustainability engineered into the building

At the core of Hyde Rosebank’s sustainability journey is a design-led approach, where environmental performance is embedded into the building itself – not retrofitted.

The property operates with solar panels, a gas generator system, heat recovery for hot water, and a borehole supplying approximately 40% of its water needs, significantly reducing reliance on municipal infrastructure.

These systems are complemented by energy-efficient LED lighting, an Energy Performance Certificate, and water-saving aerators across guest rooms and operational areas, ensuring resource efficiency is maintained across all touchpoints.

“These aren’t cosmetic changes; they’re engineered into how the building runs every day. Sustainability is part of the infrastructure, and it shapes how we operate across every level of the hotel,” explains Jessica Redinger, General Manager of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank.

Operational change embedded into systems

Beyond infrastructure, the hotel has embedded sustainability into daily operational practices and team behaviour, a critical factor in achieving Green Key certification.

Housekeeping and maintenance teams actively monitor energy usage, water consumption, and air conditioning systems, with daily checks ensuring unused rooms are not consuming unnecessary resources.

“We’ve already seen measurable reductions in energy and water consumption through daily monitoring and team accountability. It’s about turning awareness into action at every level of the operation,” adds Redinger.

Efforts to reduce waste are equally embedded. The hotel has eliminated single-use plastic water bottles, replacing them with a reusable glass bottle system supported by on-site purification and washing infrastructure, alongside broader waste reduction initiatives.

Embedding sustainability into experience, culture and community

A defining feature of Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank’s approach is the seamless integration of sustainability across guest experience, team culture, and community impact – without compromising comfort or design.

• From digital in-room systems and bamboo key cards to reusable glass water bottles and initiatives such as “Skip the Clean”, which reduces water, energy, and chemical use, guests can participate in more responsible practices without disruption.
• Beyond the property, Hyde Rosebank maintains a strong focus on local community engagement, with ongoing support for New Jerusalem Children’s Home through food, clothing donations, and regular visits, alongside participation in Rosebank clean-up initiatives and wellness-driven community partnerships.
• Internally, this approach is underpinned by a culture-driven model, where sustainability is embedded into daily operations. A cross-departmental ESG committee, supported by leadership and operational teams, ensures accountability through daily briefings, monitoring, and continuous reinforcement.

Redinger shares that, “The highest compliment is that guests often don’t notice because sustainability is built into the experience from the start. Where guests do have a choice, it’s positioned as a benefit, not a sacrifice.”

Green Key certification is recognised in over 90 countries and forms part of a global network of tourism establishments committed to sustainability.

For Hyde Johannesburg Rosebank, this milestone marks not an endpoint, but the beginning of a deeper commitment. “Sustainability does not sit in a file or a policy. It lives in daily actions, in how teams use resources, engage with guests, and contribute to a culture of responsibility. It’s about asking what more can be done and how we keep improving, and based on what we’ve seen here, this team is well positioned to lead in this space,” concludes Cloete.

Free to enter and open to companies of all sizes, including emerging startups and individual entrepreneurs, the awards spotlight initiatives solving real challenges and shaping the future of tourism in Africa. Winners will be announced on 14 April in the Host City of Cape Town at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) during WTM Africa 2026.

“Established in 2004, these prestigious annual awards remain a leading platform for championing responsible tourism businesses that are not just talking about sustainability, but driving it,” says Megan De Jager, Portfolio Director at RX Africa. “It’s a celebration of those inspiring action, and paving the way for a more inclusive and transformative industry.”

“We are very excited for the upcoming World Travel Market Africa Responsible Tourism Awards, and I am looking forward to seeing the range of entries representing the travel and tourism practitioners who are making a positive difference in our country, and particularly here in Cape Town,” says Geordin Hill-Lewis, Executive Mayor of Cape Town.

“As a city that has built such a strong global reputation as a travel destination, we understand very well the value that tourism holds for our economy. But it is equally important that this tourism is managed sustainably, that local communities benefit, that we celebrate the full spectrum of our cultural diversity, and that we preserve our natural resources for generations to come. That’s why these awards are so important to us, and I have no doubt we will see some very deserving winners next year,” concludes Hill-Lewis.

Registrants can apply for the following six categories:

1. Local Economic Benefits – Supporting local businesses and keeping tourism spend in local hands
2. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Empowering underrepresented voices in tourism
3. Nature Positive – Protecting biodiversity and natural heritage
4. Championing Cultural Diversity – Promoting dignity, pride and understanding in communities
5. Adapting to Climate Change – Building resilience through innovation and preparedness
6. Regenerative Tourism – Restoring and renewing communities and ecosystems

Entries will be judged by a panel of respected industry leaders, including travel professionals, association heads, government representatives and independent media. Gold and Silver awards will be presented, along with a special ‘One to Watch’ accolade recognising innovative concepts already demonstrating early impact.

“Each year we ‘discover’ businesses and destinations making tourism better, and we promote them,” says Professor Harold Goodwin, WTM Responsible Tourism Advisor.

“If you don’t enter, you can’t be recognised! Gold winners announced at WTM Africa 2026 are automatically entered into the Global Awards, placing Africa’s leading changemakers on the world stage alongside peers from Latin America, Europe, the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.”

Winners can also link directly to their citation on the ICRT.global website, providing credible third-party validation and powerful marketing collateral.

“Don’t miss your chance to be seen,” adds De Jager. “Winning, or even being named a finalist, delivers more than global recognition. It strengthens your brand credibility and connects you with industry leaders from around the world.”

With the deadline fast approaching, now is the time to act. Apply before 20 March to showcase your impact, gain international recognition and position your business at the forefront of responsible tourism. Nomination forms and full category details are available on the WTM Africa website. All completed applications must be submitted online here.

The programme, supported by the German Government and the European Union and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, provides a coordinated regional roadmap for sustainable tourism development across the 16 SADC member states.

The session brought together representatives from SADC member states, and delivered evidence that measurable progress is being made on three fronts: visa harmonisation, air access, and cross-border product development.

“Regional cooperation remains central to unlocking tourism’s full potential as a driver of inclusive growth, employment and environmental stewardship across Southern Africa,” said Marygoreth Mushi, Programme Officer for Policy and Market Development, SADC Secretariat.

Air access study charts course for improved regional connectivity

Mushi reported that an Air Access Study has been completed and submitted for ministerial review. The study, which feeds into the Air and Road Access Improvement Programme, identifies the slow pace of Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) implementation as the region’s primary structural constraint, alongside high aviation taxes, insufficient regional and intercontinental routes, and inadequate infrastructure.

Its recommendations include fast-tracking SAATM adoption, harmonising aviation-related taxes and charges, and coordinating infrastructure investment across member states.

“We all understand that tourism might not have a direct mandate over air transport, however it is highly affected,” Mushi noted, explaining the study’s centrality to the region’s broader tourism ambitions.

The Southern Africa Tourism Alliance (SATA), which represents tourism associations across the SADC region, confirmed its role in operationalising the study’s findings once approved: translating ministerial-level recommendations into practical on-the-ground improvements through its private sector networks.

SADC UniVisa pilot delivers cross-border travel progress

Mushi reported substantial progress on the SADC Tourism UniVisa pilot, now operational across Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe. The ICT architecture for immigration systems, legal frameworks and revenue sharing models have been implemented and benchmarked against the KAZA UniVisa and East African Tourism Visa. A Tourism-Focused Customer Service Training Programme has also been developed for immigration and border personnel, designed to balance security requirements with visitor experience.

SATA has supported delivery of these frameworks through its member networks, including border management training at the Kazungula crossing connecting Botswana and Zambia and a pilot train-the-trainer programme for disaster risk management officials in ministries and national tourism organisations.

Cross-border integration advancing through Transfrontier Conservation Areas

Nick Tucker of Boundless Southern Africa, working with the SADC Secretariat on tourism market development across Transfrontier Conservation Areas, underscored the practical significance of reducing cross-border friction. “Nothing makes regional integration tangible like a functioning cross-border tourism experience. Every time we reduce friction, we increase competitiveness,” Tucker said.

2030 targets

Mushi outlined the programme’s central objective: to ensure that by 2030, cross-border multi-destination tourism in Southern Africa exceeds the global average growth rate. The session reinforced that the partnership model – uniting government, private sector and conservation stakeholders under a shared framework – provides the institutional architecture to deliver on that commitment.

The session was chaired by Shamilla Chettiar, Acting CEO of SA Tourism, who noted that relationships are foundational to how the sector functions: “We all want tourism to work. We collaborate with each other in order to compete.”

The floods were a force to be reckoned with. Across the park, teams responded to the test through interconnectedness and human instinct to support one another in times of need.

Resilience through Ubuntu

For Anton Lategan, Managing Director of EcoTraining, his team, and his students, preparation began at ground level before the first raindrops fell. “As teachers and trainers of nature, we have to listen to the early warning signs,” he says. “We rely on modern communication as well as the ancient language, where animals tell us what is coming. When the shongololos (millipedes) climb the trees, and the frogs start talking, we know the heavy rains are coming. We practise ecological literacy.”

“The first priority remains safety. This is achieved by ensuring people have reliable access to food, water, and shelter – basic needs that link all humanity,” he continues. “Once those are secured, only then can communities and conservation operations even begin to look to the future,” he adds.

During the worst of the floods, the region was awash with quiet heroism, including neighbours offering shelter and pilots risking treacherous conditions to move supplies and people to safety where needed. It’s important to understand that being prepared is key. At times, staying in a secure, high, and dry position is the best strategy.

In Lategan’s view and experience, sympathy and empathy alone are not enough; action rooted in experience and community is essential. “Over many seasons in Africa, people collaborate as a functioning ecosystem,” he says.

Nature’s adaptation playbook

Concerns for wildlife safety quickly made headlines, but Kruger’s wild residents showed their capacity for resilience. According to park spokesperson Reynold Thakhuli, “Animals are highly intuitive and move to higher ground during severe weather, avoiding fast-flowing rivers and flooded areas. They continue feeding even when it is raining… it is business as usual for them.”

Lategan notes, “After a flood or drought or even fire, nature rebuilds from the ground upwards. The ancient processes of ecological succession are triggered. Pioneer species return to the fertile wet soil, followed by generations of more complex life. Climax species, such as giant fig trees, hold the soil together and give a foothold to their natural fellows. Floods are setbacks, but they’re also nature’s reset and are fundamental to ecosystem health.” For EcoTraining guides and students, witnessing the return of life places textbook ecology into vivid reality.

Leadership on the floodline

For the safari and conservation sectors, as for local communities, the floods were a stark reminder that adaptability and ecological understanding are essential skills. Professionals and learners adapted to changing conditions, re-routing supplies, ensuring people and animals found safe ground, and supporting families whose entire livelihoods were threatened.

The guiding profession, so often associated with peaceful game drives and sightings, became about risk assessment and, above all, empathy. Lategan reflects, “A great guide is someone who reads the land, makes wise decisions, and leads with calm. Leadership, in these moments, is a guardian role. It is symbolic: helping move people from risk to safety in good time, and teaching others to do the same.”

This is, he adds, the training with integrity that requires real field-based learning, which creates not just competent guides but resilient, responsible citizens, wherever they work. It’s a message applicable far beyond conservation and one that speaks to the power of on-the-ground experience when theory meets reality.

Human and systemic lessons for the future

The floods also shine a light on long-standing challenges. Are early warning and communication systems robust enough for communities and schools? Are investments in ecological infrastructure (for example, flood-resilient roads and bridges) keeping pace with significant climate risks? What responsibilities do parks and private partners share beyond their fences?

The answers, says Lategan, will determine how society (rural and urban, South African and global) weathers not just the next storm, but the decades ahead. “The future of society, especially in a time of extreme climate challenges, lies in ecological intelligence,” he explains. “Not just in technology and efficiencies, but in reading the land, and reconnecting with nature’s recovery plans. It’s time for the engineers to listen to the ecologists, for the economists to understand ecology and for authorities to practise ecological literacy.”

Learning, responding, recovering

With the weather still unpredictable, immediate recovery continues, from clearing park access roads to sheltering the displaced. However, by looking to both nature’s own resilience and the power of collective human action, there is hope for more sustainable futures.

The 2026 Kruger floods are a story of nature’s might, yes, but also of learning and, in the face of it, empathy, partnership, and leadership. If there is a lesson for the world, it’s this: in wild places, as in society, recovery is never solitary. It is shared, adaptive, and, ultimately, generative – as long as we choose to act together.