| First Choice Responsible Tourism Award |
 First Choice Award. London November 2006. Wilfred Chivell's Dyer Island Cruises walked away with the prestigious commendation for "Best In marine Environment" awarded by First choice Responsible Tourism in London.The First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards are the largest of their kind in the world and are a collaboration between on-line travel agent responsible travel.com who organise the Awards; UK media partners The Times and Geographical Magazine; supporters Conservation International; and The World Travel Market who host the presentation event. The central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism – from niche to mainstream – can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people. PRESS RELEASE - MONDAY 13 NOVEMBER 2006 'Global Responsible Tourism Day' was held on Wednesday, 8 November at the World Travel Market in London. This first ever WTM day dedicated to the sustainable development of tourism on a global scale, will now be marked as an annual event. Three South African tourism companies were recognised in the 2006 awards. In addition, an unprecedented number of finalists were from the African continent. Dyer Island Cruises walked away with the prestigious commendation for 'Best In Marine Environment'.This small company in Gansbaai has implemented far reaching ethical 'responsible tourism' practises in the few years since the establishment of their marine tourism business. Embracing the holistic approach of 'responsible tourism' is not without its challenges and requires a certain amount of self sacrifice. Wilfred Chivell's ultimate desire is to see conservation and community upliftment reaping in equal measure the economic benefits created from tourism. On Thursday morning, Dyer Island Cruises will be launching their community crafts and skills development project 'Nolwandle' (meaning from the sea) located in the township of Mashakane near Gansbaai. Assisted by funding from the British High Commissionin Pretoria, Overberg Municipality and local tourism partners, this centre will provide empowerment skills for local women to create a sustainable future for themselves. In view of the 'Global Climate Change' conference running currently in Nairobi, the changing demands and trends from overseas tourists as well as operators, the need is there for our government to establish a structured portfolio for sustainable tourism development. You can read more about the winners and the awards process on the website: www.responsibletravel.com Best in aMarine Environment sponsored by |
