First RTA winners to be announced at NTE

Mariana WE Balt
The finalists of the Responsible Tourism Awards will be announced at the Namibia Tourism Expo.
Entrants had to provide evidence of having achieved at least four Eco Flowers after a successful routine assessment by Eco Awards Namibia. Alternatively, an Eco Awards Namibia assessment had to be completed before November last year.
The finalists in both categories were evaluated against ten criterion, namely management (23 points), conservation (17 points), energy and water (36 points), waste, pollution and sewage (24 points), building, landscape and roads (18 points), staff, health and safety (36 points), guiding (5 points) and social responsibility (13). The three winners in each category receive advertorial and editorial coverage valued at N$250 000, N$150 000 and N$100 000 respectively.
These prizes include N$100 000 in cash for community upliftment in the areas where the winners operate.
The three finalists in the category for accommodation establishments are Gondwana's Etosha Safari Camp, Nkasa Lupala Tented Lodge and Wolwedans Boulders Camp. The finalists amongst tour operators are Ultimate Safaris, Tourvest Destination Management Namibia/Sense of Africa and Pack Safari. Nedbank Namibia sponsored N$50 000 for community projects arising from the competition.
Staff from the lodges will also compete against each other in a choir competition.
Performances by the choirs will add value and entertainment to the expo during the opening ceremony on 18 May and at two other events, where judging will take place.
The winning choir will receive N$12 000, while the second- and third-placed choirs will receive N$7 500 and N$6 000 respectively.