In a special ceremony at World Travel Market Africa in the City on 17 April, Gansbaai took the coveted position of Overall Winner in the African Responsible Tourism Awards out of 22 finalists gathered from around Africa.
- “It is exciting to bring the World Responsible Tourism Awards to Cape Town & Africa,” said Harold Goodwin, Chair of the Judging Panel. “Many world-class winners are being announced today. Since 2004, African businesses from 14 countries have won awards. 20% of the awards winners have been from Africa.”
Gansbaai Tourism, with its spectacular Grootbos Nature Reserve and numerous eco-projects, including those run by Marine Dynamics, has made a significant impact in the area of eco-tourism, and this was noticed by the Judges. “It is wonderful to be recognised for the contribution that Marine Dynamics Tours and Dyer Island Cruises, together with the Dyer Island Conservation Trust, are making in terms of marine research, conservation and education in Gansbaai,” said Wilfred Chivell, CEO of Marine Dynamics Tours. “It is imperative that we protect and nurture the very ecosystem on which we all rely for a living. Most important is our belief that ‘Every Life Counts’. The scientific research that is being conducted every day, with the support of our commercial operations, is invaluable in understanding the great white shark and being able to influence conservation decisions. We appreciate our tourism partners as, without their support, our work would not be possible.”
Other projects in progress in the Gansbaai area include:
– The endangered African Penguin housing project
– Shark population study through fin identification – the first-
published study of its kind in South Africa
– Tagging and tracking of great whites to understand their
behaviour in relation to environmental parameters
– Fishing-line bin project addressing marine pollution
– The African Penguin and Seabird Sanctuary – APSSFor the full list of the African Responsible Tourism Winners for 2015, click here:
