Zimbabwe leads green tourism in Africa

Minimum guidelines will be incorporated into the Minimum Quality Standards for tourism in Zimbabwe.

In an awards ceremony in Victoria Falls last week, Sophie Zirebwa, Executive Director of  Zimbabwe’s Tourism Authority (ZTA) emphasized Zimbabwe’s commitment to tourism sustainability, and to creating an enabling environment for Green Tourism to prosper in Africa.

Said Ms Zirebwa "The Government of Zimbabwe is adopting green approaches within the tourism sector. The initiative is in line with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) drive towards sustainable development."

"A process to craft green tourism guidelines for tourism operators which will be incorporated in both existing and future establishments has since commenced."

The guidelines will also see the introduction of Green Awards to operators who embrace green tourism practices.  The minimum guidelines will be incorporated into the Minimum Quality Standards for tourism in Zimbabwe.

Added Ms Zirebwa "We believe the buy-in and participation will ensure a high level of compliance, thus achieving a green destination, hence increasing destination competitiveness."

In October 2014, a workshop was held at Sanganai Tourism Fair in Harare, which brought together different players from the tourism industry to discuss a five year roadmap on  how to green the tourism industry

ZTA partnered with the Green Tourism Programme (UK) and a local environment organization, Environment Africa, to take sustainable responsible and green tourism forward.  

At the end of 2015, Environment Africa in partnership with the Green Tourism (UK) and ZTA, facilitated the first Green Tourism certification workshop with interested stakeholders in the tourism industry from the Victoria Falls and Hwange regions of Zimbabwe.

International lead assessor Jon Proctor, the Technical Director of Green Tourism; Andrea Nicholas, Green Tourism Managing Director and Veronica Chapman the local Green Tourism Advisor for Southern Africa were accompanied by Charlene Hewat the CEO of Environment Africa, and visited the pilot member businesses.

Thirteen businesses were assessed, met the International Green Tourism Certification requirements and were awarded either Bronze, Silver and Gold gradings.

"I am pleased to say that all the businesses we visited in Zimbabwe meet a good standard.  In fact I am further delighted to announce that all of the businesses we have assessed have met or exceeded the Bronze level of our award. This puts them within the top 10% of tourism businesses within our industry globally,"said Jon Proctor.

"There are over 2500 green tourism businesses worldwide and we are excited about working with operators and our partners to help Zimbabwe lead Africa as a world class sustainable tourism destination," said Andrea Nicholas.

All award winners will be promoted by Green Tourism internationally.

"Visiting the hotels and lodges, I am encouraged by all the positive actions that are taking place with regards to environmental, social and cultural initiatives." says Charlene Hewat, CEO, Environment Africa.

The Award winners in Zimbabwe:

• Bayete Lodge (Bronze)
• Cresta Sprayview Hotel (Bronze)
• Ilala Lodge Hotel (Silver)
• Ivory Lodge (Bronze)
• Khulu Lodge (Bronze)
• Pioneers Camp (Silver)
• Stanley and Livingstone Private Game Reserve (Bronze)
• Wild Horizons – The Elephant Camp (Silver)
• The Victoria Falls Hotel (Silver)
• Victoria Falls Safari Lodge (Silver)
• Vintage camp (Silver)
• Zambezi Sands (Silver)
• Somalisa Camp and Somalisa Acacia (GOLD)

Valere Tjolle @ValereTjolle [email protected]