Imvelo, running for the tenth year, awards tourism businesses that demonstrate sustained responsible practice in their operations in terms of their natural, social and economic environments. The programme is organised by the Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) in association with the National Department of Tourism and is supported by Absa, the Department of Water Affairs, Eskom, the Industrial Development Corporation and Don’t Waste Services.
The overall winner, selected from the six category winners, is the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company. The judges applauded the company’s overall performance and sustained commitment to responsible practice. “The company has for many years been at the forefront of environmental stewardship, having been the first business in
In the category Best social involvement programme the group winner is Sun International Zambia. The independent winner is African Impact. Other finalists in the category were the Townhouse Hotel, Avis Rent a Car, Vineyard Hotel and Spa, d’Ouwe Werf, Sun City Resort, Emzini Tours, African Impact, Kayak Africa’s Mumbo Island Camp in
Entrants were judged on examples of corporate and social responsibility like community investment initiatives, local outsourcing, community health, welfare and education activities, promotion of local SMME enterprises as well as local HIV/Aids and other social programmes.
In the category Best practice - economic impact the group winner is Sun International
Entrants were judged on local purchasing and economic practices, employment equity, Black Economic Empowerment, employee training and development of and adherence to general and industry-specific legislation.
The Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort walked away as the group winner in the category Best overall environmental management system. The Nkomazi Game Reserve in
In the category Best single resource management programme - energy management the winner is the Town Lodge Sandton in
The Drakensberg Sun Lifestyle Resort is the winner in the category Best single resource management programme - water management. The other finalists are Sun
City Resort, the Windmill Casino and Entertainment Centre in
In the category Best single resource management programme - waste management the group winner is the Southern Sun Waterfront Hotel in
In the category Most empowered tourism business the winner is Southern Sun Hotels Interests. The Table Bay Hotel in
In the category Investor in people, the winner is the Vineyard Hotel and Spa.
Motsethabo Tours is highly commended in this category. The other finalists are the Table Bay Hotel, Southern Sun Hotels, the
The FEDHASA Chairman’s Award was made to Lorraine Jenks of Hotelstuff/Greenstuff for her commitment to responsible tourism practice in the hospitality industry. “For many years Jenks struggled to instigate green procurement practices. Today Greenstuff showcases greener alternatives and encourages responsible environmental standards. She collaborates with industry experts on staff training, green certification, carbon offset schemes and waste and water management,” said Dungan. The Chairman’s Award is independent of the other awards and may be made to any organisation or individual making a meaningful contribution to responsible tourism.
Dungan said this year’s entries were of a very high standard and no less than 159 category entries were received with a total of 38 tourism businesses that made it to the finals. “It is clear that after ten years, Imvelo is certainly making a huge impact on tourism in
Imvelo – which means ‘nature’ in
World Tourism Organisation’s code of ethics, and are supported by the Heritage Environmental Rating Programme.
For more information visit http://www.imveloawards.co.za/
