WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026 Honour 22 Organisations for Impact Across 13 Countries

The WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026 were held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, recognising 22 organisations from 13 countries for delivering measurable benefits to communities, environments and local economies.

Hosted by Rachel Nxele, the ceremony featured James Vos as guest speaker. The awards, organised in partnership with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism, spanned five categories including cultural diversity, inclusion, economic benefit, nature conservation and regenerative tourism.

“These awards are both celebration and evidence,” Nxele said, stressing the importance of recognising real, measurable impact. Vos echoed the sentiment, highlighting the need to demonstrate tangible outcomes and encourage more “tourism-preneurs.”

Sustainability was reflected in the trophies themselves, with gold and silver winners receiving handcrafted protea designs made from recycled materials by Cape Gypsea, while “One-to-Watch” recipients were awarded products from Painted Wolf Wines, known for supporting wildlife conservation.

Among the standout winners, Ele Collection Zimbabwe was honoured in the Nature Positive category for converting plastic waste into construction materials. RuralRevive Namibia and Saruni Basecamp Kenya were recognised for regenerative tourism initiatives focused on conservation and community development.

In South Africa, Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company was awarded for boosting local procurement and supporting small businesses, while Traditional African Homestays Southern Africa was recognised for promoting cultural heritage through community-based tourism. V&A Waterfront Academy also received honours for its role in job placement and enterprise support.

Silver awards went to organisations across Africa and the Middle East, highlighting efforts in conservation, inclusive tourism and entrepreneurship. Emerging initiatives were spotlighted in the “One-to-Watch” category, showcasing innovative grassroots projects.

The judging panel was led by Harold Goodwin, alongside representatives from global tourism bodies. Closing the ceremony, Debbie Hindle noted that gold winners will advance to the global stage.

Olivia Gradidge said the event continues to celebrate innovation and leadership in responsible tourism, reinforcing a commitment to practices that benefit people, places and nature.