Western Cape nature wins global acclaim
A Western Cape nature reserve has earned international recognition for championing sustainable tourism efforts.
Alan Winde, MEC of Economic Opportunities, has congratulated Grootbos Nature Reserve for its acclaimed conservation programmes.
The Grootbos Nature Reserve, near the Garden Route, has been nominated for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s 2015 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards. It is a finalist in the Community Award category.
The winners will be announced at the 15th World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit to held in Spain in April.
In addition, the lodge earned a spot on National Geographic’s Unique Lodges of the World list. The list was launched last week and features 24 properties.
Describing the list, the organisation wrote: “National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World is a network of world-class accommodations where sustainability is the touchstone and the guest experience is exceptionally rich and meaningful. We invite you to discover how “staying” can be truly extraordinary.”
MEC Winde said: “The tourism sector is a R18 billion industry, which employs over 150 000 people. It’s important that we embrace practices to protect the environment so we can safeguard these resources. With such a rich cultural and natural heritage to preserve, sustainability is particularly important in this region. Their achievements are garnering attention for their own establishments as well as for the Western Cape,” said MEC Winde.
For media queries, kindly contact:
Bronwynne Jooste
Spokesperson: Ministry of Economic Opportunities
Tel: 021 483 3550
Cell: 060 970 4301
E-mail: bronwynne.jooste@westerncape.gov.za
Twitter: bronwynnejooste
