The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards celebrate innovation and sustainability in African tourism, taking place in Cape Town from 7–9 April 2027. This event is a must-attend for travel professionals, hoteliers, and entrepreneurs seeking to showcase responsible practices and connect with global industry leaders.
What is it?
The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards are part of the World Travel Market Africa Expo, a premier business-to-business travel and tourism event. The awards recognize organizations and individuals who demonstrate leadership in responsible tourism, focusing on sustainability, community empowerment, and environmental stewardship.
Why Attend This Event?
- Networking Opportunities: Meet over 781 exhibitors and 266 hosted buyers from across the globe.
- Knowledge Sharing: Learn from 131 speakers covering topics like sustainable growth, cultural heritage, and innovative travel solutions.
- Brand Visibility: Gain exposure to international media and industry leaders.
- Recognition: Showcase your responsible tourism initiatives on a global stage.
Who Should Attend?
- Tourism entrepreneurs and lodge owners.
- Hospitality professionals (hotels, resorts, travel agencies).
- Government and NGO representatives working in conservation and community development.
- Academics and students in tourism and hospitality.
- Travel media and influencers promoting sustainable tourism.
Date & Location
- Date: 7–9 April 2027
- Location: Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC), South Africa
Judging Criteria
1. Evidence-based: The panel is looking for evidence of real change, businesses which can convincingly demonstrate positive impacts, or reduced negative impacts, quantified wherever possible.
2. Replicability: The Awards aim to inspire change; we seek to identify examples of best practices that can be replicated across the sector and around the world.
3. Innovation: The judges are looking for innovative practices that make a real difference, the Awards highlight new good practices, which the judges believe, can, and should, become common practice.
4. Influence: We look for businesses and organizations that are not only doing good work themselves but are using their influence to ensure their peers and suppliers do the same.
5. Sustainability and longevity: The judges seek to Award those businesses that understand that taking responsibility for tourism is a long journey, that it encompasses the economic, social, and environmental impacts of their activities, and who have a clear vision for the long- term success of the work, with future targets and plans in place.
6. Overall commitment to Responsible Tourism: Alongside the category-specific focus, there needs to be a clear overall commitment to positively impacting local communities, economies, cultures, and environments.
Top 3 Hotels/Lodges Close to this Event
| Hotel/Lodge | Distance from CTICC | Highlights |
| The Westin Cape Town | Adjacent to CTICC | Luxury rooms, Heavenly Spa, business-friendly amenities. |
| Hotel Sky Cape Town | 0.2 km | Rooftop pool, modern design, affordable rates. |
| The Onyx Hotel | 0.2 km | Stylish apartments, great views, close to V&A Waterfront. |
To read more info about this award visit the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards website
Nature Positive
WINNER: Denis Private Island – Seychelles
The island promotes sustainability and conservation, making it a perfect getaway for those looking to unplug and reconnect with nature.
Denis Private Island is an exclusive eco-retreat located in the remote northern territory of the Seychelles. This luxurious island offers private cottages and villas, excellent game fishing, and scuba diving in complete harmony with nature. With pristine beaches, a sea turtle sanctuary, and a variety of rare bird species, it’s a paradise for nature lovers.
Employing and Upskilling Local Communities
WINNER: Grootbos Lodge & the Green Futures College – South Africa
The Green Futures College, part of the Grootbos Foundation, provides accredited training in horticulture, life skills, and eco-tourism to unemployed young adults. The program aims to equip students with the skills needed to work in the green economy and contribute to conservation efforts. Since its inception, the college has graduated over 118 students, with many findings employment in the eco-tourism sector.
Grootbos Lodge is a luxury eco-reserve located near the southern tip of Africa, nestled between mountains, forests, and the sea. It offers a range of unique lodges and private villas, each designed to blend harmoniously with the pristine natural environment. The lodge is renowned for its biodiversity, including over 100 endangered plant species and the famous “Marine Big Five” (whale, shark, dolphin, penguin, and great white shark). Guests can enjoy activities like game fishing, scuba diving, and guided nature walks.
Making Tourism Inclusive
WINNER: Warrior on Wheels Foundation – South Africa
By organizing these activities, the foundation helps change perceptions of ability and bridges gaps between able-bodied and differently-abled communities.
The Warrior on Wheels Foundation is a non-profit organization based in South Africa, founded in October 2015 by Deidre Gower. The foundation was established out of Gower’s desire to ensure that her wheelchair-bound, special needs son could experience life to the fullest. The foundation aims to uplift and empower children with disabilities by providing them with special adventures tailored to their needs. These adventures include activities like ziplining, river rafting, surfing, horse riding, boat trips, aquarium and museum visits, and more.
What are you doing about Climate Change?
WINNER: Ecodrop – Zimbabwe
By promoting eco-friendly hydration, Ecodrop is making a positive impact on both the environment and the people of Zimbabwe.
Ecodrop is a Zimbabwean initiative aimed at reducing plastic waste by providing accessible and affordable purified drinking water. Founded in 2011, Ecodrop offers refill stations in Victoria Falls and other locations, where visitors can fill their reusable bottles with cold, clean water purified through reverse osmosis. The initiative not only helps protect the environment but also supports local communities by recycling used bottles and donating a portion of the proceeds to charities.
Increasing Local Sourcing
WINNER: Okavango Gin
Okavango Gin offers a unique taste of the African wilderness and supports conservation efforts in the region.
Okavango Gin is a premium gin distilled and bottled in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Founded by a group of naturalists, safari guides, and botany enthusiasts, Okavango Gin is inspired by the pristine wilderness of the delta1. The gin is crafted using pure Okavango water and botanicals like Mopane tree seeds, creating an earthy, pure, and rustic flavor. The distillery is off-grid and committed to sustainable practices, providing employment opportunities to the local community.
Championing Cultural Diversity
WINNER: Trip to Help – Kenya & Tanzania through an online agency registered in Spain
By choosing Trip to Help, travelers can enjoy unforgettable adventures while making a meaningful difference in the destinations they visit.
Trip to Help is an online travel agency based in Spain that offers sustainable and responsible tourism experiences in Kenya and Tanzania. Founded with a mission to create positive social and cultural impacts, Trip to Help partners with local communities and NGOs to ensure that travelers contribute to local projects and conservation efforts. Their trips include safaris, cultural immersions, and community-based tourism experiences, all designed to support education, health, and women’s empowerment programs.
