OVER 60 NOMINATIONS ON RECORD FOR THE 2017 ECO WARRIOR AWARDS
(Posted 07th September 2017)
Ecotourism Kenya has released the long list of nominees who will be contesting for the Eco Warrior Awards in 2017. This year, the Eco-Warrior Award has been altered to be in sync with the 2017 UNWTO Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development and the WTM and Africa Responsible Tourism Awards. The award will therefore focus on how tourism businesses in Kenya are contributing to the uptake of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
To be recognized for the 2017 Eco Warrior Award, Ecotourism Kenya is looking for model businesses that have been able to translate the SDGs into their operations and can positively demonstrate and report tangible outcomes in their operations and impact on people, planet and profits. The contribution of individual persons in their capacity as conservation leaders, tour guides, media, researchers and students cannot be overlooked.
The Ministry of Tourism has endorsed the 2017 Eco Warrior Award as the highlight of Kenya’s World Tourism Day/UN World Tourism Week that will be celebrated on 27th September 2017 in Nairobi. The theme is Sustainable Tourism as a tool for Development.
The nomination process for the 2017 Eco Warrior Awards closed on 22nd of August 2017. Under the 7 categories, ECOtourism received a total of 63 nominees as follows:
1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Category
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy- Laikipia
- Angama Mara –Narok County
- Amboseli Serena –Kajiado County
- Nature Kenya -Nairobi County
- Northern Rangelands Trust –Laikipia County
- Base Camp Masai Mara –Narok County
- Sirikoi Lodge –Laikipia County
- Selenkay Conservancy –Kajiado County
- Karen Blixen Camp –Narok County
2. SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production Category
- Amboseli Serena –Kajiado County
- Angama Mara –Narok County
- Cottars Camp –Narok County
- El Karama Lodge –Laikipia County
- Karen Blixen Camp ––Narok County
- Kilima Camp –Narok County
- Lake Elementaita Serena – Nakuru County
- Loisaba Tented Camp –Laikipia County
- Rekero Camp –Narok County
3. SDG 13: Promoting Climate Action Category
- Giraffe Centre –Nairobi County
- Amboseli Institute –Kiambu County
- Biogas International –Nairobi County
- Campi ya Kanzi–Kajiado County
- Cottars Camp –Narok County
- Santuary Olonana –Narok County
- Tawi Lodge –Kajiado County
- Let’s Go Travel –Nairobi County
- Loisaba Tented Camp –Laikipia County
- Porini Mara Camp –Narok County
- Kilaguni Serena –Taita Taveta
4. SDG 14: Protecting Life below Water Category
- Serena Beach Resort–Mombasa County
- NTV Wild –Nairobi County
- Eco Ethics Kenya –Mombasa County
5. SDG 15: Protecting Life on Land Category
- Biogas International –Nairobi County
- Cottars Camp –Narok County
- Amboseli Institute –Kiambu County
- Campi ya Kanzi ––Kajiado County
- Safari Link –Nairobi County
- Game Watchers Safaris –Nairobi County
- Mara Training Centre –Kajiado County
- NTV Wild –Nairobi County
- Ol Pejeta Conservancy- Laikipia County
6. Any Other SDG Category Award
SDG 1: End Poverty
- Amboseli Serena –Kajiado County
SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being
- Turtle Bay –Kilifi County
- Campi ya Kanzi–Kajiado County
- Amboseli Institute –Kiambu County
SDG 4: Quality Education
- Kenyatta University –Kiambu County
- Air Kenya –Nairobi County
- Technical University –Nairobi County
- Let’s Go Travel –Nairobi County
- Campi ya Kanzi –Narok County
- Kenya Wildlife Training Institute –Nakuru County
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
- Amboseli Serena –Kajiado County
- Serena Beach Resort –Mombasa County
- Technical University –Nairobi County
- Kilanguni Serena –Taita Taveta
7. Individual Category
- SDG 7: Affordable Clean Energy
- Irene Muchuma- KBC
- SDG 15: Protecting Life on Land
- Joseph Kang’ethe – Mara Intrepids
- Jairus Koki -Lecturer
- Paul Kirui –Tour Guide
- Peter Muiruri -Standard Media Group
- SDG 16: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions
- James Gitonga –Peace Ambassadors Kenya
Judging Process
The nomination process has come to an end and it marks the onset of the shortlisting process. A team of carefully selected individuals who are professionals in sustainable tourism and sustainable development goals have embarked on the judging process. As was the case last year, this team will be supervised and coordinated by a Chief Judge – Judy Kepher-Gona. Judy has served as a judge and assessor for the Eco-Warrior Award, World Travel and Tourism Council Tourism for Tomorrow Awards from 2008. In 2014, she was appointed judge of National Geographic Nat Geo, World Legacy Awards.
Watch this space for the upcoming short list of nominees from among whom the winners will ultimately be selected by the panel of judges before being presented to the public during the World Tourism Day celebrations.
Notably will the ceremony NOT take place alongside the Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2017 as was the case in recent years, probably attributed to the changes in how the event is being organized.
