ECOTOURISM HANDS SAFARILINK SECOND CONSECUTIVE TROPHY AS ‘ECO WARRIOR’
(Posted 17th October 2015)
One of the highlights of the more recent editions of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo, the EcoTourism Eco Warrior Awards – sponsored by the Kenya Tourism Board as a platinum supporter – yesterday night once again brought out the crowds. El Nino threats notwithstanding did the weather at the award winning Diani beach put on its Friday night best, making the gathering of several hundred guests a night to remember.
Nine awards were up for grabs, carrying with them a huge gain in prestige and standing and attracting extra business by a growing number of travelers who require undisputable green credentials, something the winners can all guarantee.
The best eco rated lodge was named as the Sirikoi Lodge while Elewana’s Tortilis Camp, formerly in the stable of Cheli & Peacock, claimed the trophy as best eco rated tented camp in Kenya.
The Baobab Cottages walked away with a first time trophy in their category as best sustainable cottage operation while Safarilink, in a very closely run contest, pipped Air Kenya to reclaim the honours they took already last year.
Gamewatchers / Porini were the clear winners in the best sustainable tour operator category after Naboisha Conservancy had received their award as best sustainable community conservancy. Ngare Ndare also repeated last year’s feat when the organization walked off the stage carrying the award as best sustainable community owned tourism enterprise. And it was no surprise for those in the know that Ol Pejeta, regularly described by this correspondent as Kenya’s most complete wilderness experience just three hours’ drive from the capital Nairobi, claimed the first trophy of the night as Kenya’s number one conservancy operation.
Judy Kepher Gona of STTA, the Sustainable Travel and Tourism Agenda, officiated the event, during which the Kenya Tourism Board CEO Muriithi Ndegwa also spoke, as did the chairman of EcoTourism Kenya Dr. Mohanjeet Brar.
On a side note did this correspondent get an unexpected award when being recognized by Muriithi Ndegwa and the Kenya Tourism Board as the media person creating the most hype about Magical Kenya and the travel expo, gratefully accepted and dedicated to all those many individuals and organizations providing valuable information on a regular basis.
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo 2015 is coming to an end today at the Leisure Lodge complex in Diani, south of Mombasa and the number of hosted buyers, which rose to now 174 from 35 countries around the world, will return home, well equipped to sell Kenya’s Magic to their clientele.
Added information about Destination Kenya can be accessed via www.magicalkenya.com and www.kws.go.ke
