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/

As the gap widens between ‘marketing sustainability’ and ‘operational reality,’ these awards identify the trailblazers who are turning responsible tourism principles into measurable, scalable business assets.

Important Dates and Entry Information

• Entry Deadline: 17 April 2026
• Awards Ceremony: 22 June 2026 at Experience Africa, London
• Cost: Free to enter
• Limit: Applicants may enter a maximum of two categories.

Following a surge in high-calibre entries in 2025, the 2026 programme retains its ten established categories spanning the full spectrum of regenerative travel, from marine conservation and climate innovation to community empowerment and ethical storytelling. This is a deliberate strategic move. By keeping the criteria consistent, ATTA® is establishing a year-on-year yardstick.

Chris Mears, CEO of ATTA Group Events, explained the shift in expectation:

“By keeping our categories consistent, we are challenging the industry to show us progress. We want to see how last year’s emerging ideas have become this year’s business models. An initiative might look good on paper, but we need to question how it actually changes a life, contributes to saving a species, or alters a supply chain. We encourage all organisations to enter, from small eco-lodges to major operators. If you have a blueprint that works, the industry needs to see, model, and celebrate it.” 

Nigel Vere-Nicoll, ATTA® Honorary President, emphasised that these awards are designed to separate those sayingthe right things from those doing the hard work.

“Africa is setting itself apart as a world leader in regenerative tourism, and these awards are the mechanism by which we validate that claim.” 

The awards apply a double check process on scoring with a selected group of judges. “We have assembled a judging panel that combines historical industry knowledge with the fresh, uncompromising perspective of young changemakers,” added Vere-Nicoll.  

“Beyond recognition, these awards provide a platform for organisations to position themselves as leaders in the eyes of international buyers actively seeking purpose-led partners. Entering is an opportunity to validate their team’s hard work on a global stage,” Vere-Nicoll concluded. 

To enter and view full criteria, visit: https://awards.atta.travel/

For further information please contact: chris@attagroup.events

ABOUT ATTA®

ATTA® (The African Travel and Tourism Association) is the leading pan-African trade association promoting tourism to Africa and the Indian Ocean islands. Known as the “Voice of African Tourism,” ATTA® serves over 900 member businesses, including accommodation providers, tour operators, and travel specialists. It provides accurate industry news, hosts networking events and trade shows, and delivers valuable member training and resources. For more information, visit atta.travel.

Join the ATTA® Media Network to gain access to news about tourism in Africa, access to spokespeople and thought leaders and other media benefits. Email media@atta.travel for details.

About ATTA Group Events:

ATTA Group Events is the foremost platform for connecting African suppliers with top international buyers at various shows. Promoting an expansive range of travel products and unique experiences from across Africa, ATTA Group Events hosts B2B events that are not just a meeting ground but a catalyst for forging essential industry connections, making these #ThePlaceToConnect for the African tourism industry.

The collaboration connects ATTA®’s extensive B2B network – representing accommodation providers, tour operators, and destination marketing specialists – with The Long Run’s internationally recognised 4Cs sustainability model (Conservation, Community, Culture, Commerce). 

“This partnership marks a pivotal moment for Africa’s tourism story. By combining ATTA®’s reach with The Long Run’s proven 4Cs model, we’re empowering our members with the knowledge, tools, and networks to embed regeneration into the core of their operations,” said Kgomotso Ramothea, CEO, ATTA®. 

“Africa holds one‑quarter of the world’s biodiversity; protecting it is both our responsibility and our competitive advantage. Through this collaboration, we’re redefining growth to mean prosperity that also safeguards our heritage and people,” she added. 

This partnership comes as Africa’s travel economy continues to rebound strongly. The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) estimates the sector now contributes over US$168 billion to the continent’s GDP. Simultaneously, Booking.com has reported that, as of 2025, over 80% of global travellers want to travel more sustainably, demonstrating momentum for meaningful industry transformation.

How the partnership works

Under the new MoU:

• ATTA® will act as a global ambassador for The Long Run and its 4Cs approach, sharing related resources, case studies, and training opportunities with its members.
• The Long Run will provide ATTA® members access to sustainability tools, frameworks, and select peer‑learning events, and offer discounted membership to eligible operators.
• The two organisations will collaborate on awareness‑building initiatives, joint events, and content that promote measurable sustainability improvements across ATTA’s membership base.

The road ahead

Going forward, the partnership will roll out a series of joint initiatives, including webinars, case‑study exchanges, and workshops for tourism businesses seeking to measure and improve their sustainability performance.

“We’re delighted to partner with ATTA® to accelerate practical action on sustainability in Africa’s tourism sector,” said Dr Anne-Kathrin Zschiegner, Executive Director of The Long Run.

“Our members have proven that long-term success depends on ecosystems and communities in balance. By combining our 4Cs framework with ATTA®’s reach, we hope to support more tourism operators to turn good intentions into measurable impact – strengthening Africa’s role as a global leader in regenerative tourism,” she concluded.

-ENDS-

Please contact Kgomotso Ramothea on info@atta.travel should you need further information | The ATTA® team is available at WTM London 4-6 November at Stand S15-300.