Ecotourism Kenya Releases The 2018 Eco Warrior Award Shortlist!

The 2018 Eco Warrior Awards Coming Soon On 26th September 2018

Kenya Nite!

To recognize and award the finalists, an appropriately themed Gala Dinner will be held in Nairobi on Wednesday 26th September 2018 on the eve of the World Tourism Day.

The event will provide a platform for showcasing our diversity as a destination; celebrating our unbeatable cuisine; and embracing a fusion of modern and vibrant traditional heritage through music and dance. Together with our branding sponsors Zuri Events and host Crown Plaza, Nairobi, we give a promise to the participants that each will get a chance to dress up in their favorite Kenyan cultural outfit and have a celebratory night of fun and great networking!

We have compiled a list of exciting raffle prizes that will be up for grabs during the Gala Dinner courtesy of the certified sustainable tourism accommodation facilities.

To book your place at the dinner and for payment details, register at this link https://ecotourismkenya.org/ecowarrioraward/dinner-registration/

Charges: Kshs 6,500 for individual

Kshs. 60,000 for a table of 10

Ecotourism Kenya members get a 15% discount.

Theme: Tourism – Promoting Culture and Heritage

Ecotourism Kenya has announced the short list of finalists for the 13^th edition of the Eco Warrior Award that recognizes innovation and leadership in responsible tourism. The finalists consist of Kenyan tourism businesses and individuals with initiatives that demonstrate a linkage and commitment towards the promotion of cultural heritage. Culture is one of the key factors driving the growth of tourism in the world. This year, the Eco-Warrior Award theme is in sync with the 3^rd UNWTO/UNESCO World Conference on Tourism and Culture to be held in December 2018 in Turkey.

Winners in the 10 categories will be announced on Wednesday 26^th September 2018 in a Kenya-Night Experience Gala Dinner to be hosted by Ecotourism Kenya and partners at Crowne Plaza, Nairobi. The Gala Dinner will be held on the eve of the World Tourism Day and will be graced by Dr. Evangeline Njoka Secretary General, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO who will give the key note address. Other notable guests will be the Director General National Museum of Kenya Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia, KTB CEO Dr. Betty Radier, KTB Marketing Director Ms. Jacinta Nzioka, Hon. Faith Wathome Minister in Charge of Tourism, Sport and Culture – Machakos County, Joseph Cherutoi MD, Tourism Fund, among other invited guests, dignitaries, finalists, media and the tourism/conservation fraternity.

Besides the great entertainment and cultural dances, guests stand a chance to win amazing holiday packages courtesy of the Eco-rated accommodation facilities such as: Olare Mara Kempinski Lodge, Mara Engai Camp, Sanctuary Olonana Luxury Lodge, Elewana Afro Chic – Diani, Sirikoi Lodge, Lewa Conservancy, Saruni Mara, Kilima Camp, Tawi Lodge, Solio Lodge, Samburu Game Lodge, Turtle Bay Beach Club – Watamu, Loldia House – Naivasha, Kichwa Tembo Tented Camp with at least 2 return tickets to Masai Mara and Diani courtesy of Safarilink Aviation.

Those who have made it to the short list include:

Best Tour Operator in Engaging People and Culture – Sponsored by Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO)

Uniglobe Lets Go Travel
Gamewatchers Safaris Ltd

Best Student in Engaging People, Culture and Heritage – Sponsored by African Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW)

Lenny Macharia
Jeremiah Njogu
Peter Muthanji

Best Conservancy in Promotion of Culture and Heritage – Sponsored by Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT)

- Selenkay Conservancy, Amboseli
- Batian Conservation, Kirinyaga
- Orage Ke, Kisumu

Best Destination in Promoting Culture and Heritage – Sponsored by Kenya Tourism Board (KTB)

- Elgeyo Marakwet County
- Siaya County
- Uasin Gishu County

Best in Protecting Marine Heritage – Sponsored by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)

- The Sands at Nomad
- Serena Beach Resort and Spa
- Local Ocean Conservation

Best Tourism Training Institution in Promoting Culture and Heritage – Sponsored by Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT)

- Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
- Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
- Kenya Wildlife Service Training Institute

Best Blogger/Journalist in Promoting People, Culture and Heritage – Sponsored by Go Places

- Wangeci Gitahi
- Thomas Mwiraria
- Wangeci Kiongo

Best Community Based Tourism Organization in Promoting Culture and Heritage –Sponsored by Crowne Plaza, Nairobi

- Mlilo Community Based Tourism Association
- Kakapel Cultural Centre
- Otenyo Cultural Group

Best Heritage Attractions – Sponsored by Zuri Events

- Lamu Museum
- Kitale Museum
- Karen Blixen Museum

Best Accommodation Facility in Promoting Culture and Heritage – Sponsored by Tourism Fund (TF)

- Cottars’ 1920s Camp
- Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge
- Kicheche Mara Camp

Ecotourism Kenya Eco- Auction – Stand A Chance To Win!

About The Eco Warrior Award

Eco-warrior Award is a Kenyan Tourism Award that recognizes and celebrates outstanding contribution to ecotourism practice in Kenya. It is aimed at motivating winning ventures/ operations and industry at large to embrace practices that are ecologically and ethically sustainable in order to compete with the best in the world. The overall goal is to transform Kenya to a sustainable tourism destination.

About Ecotourism Kenya

Ecotourism Kenya is a civil society organization directly serving more than 450 members and reaching out to hundreds more in Kenya. Since its inception in 1996 Ecotourism Kenya has been involved in a wide range of activities to promote and broaden the industry understanding of sustainable tourism, and attract membership beyond the mainstream tourism industry. These include organizing conferences and training workshops to develop guidelines such as the Green Destination Guidelines, codes of conduct, best practices, and a Green Eco-rating Certification Scheme. Ecotourism Kenya has had many firsts: it was the first Ecotourism Society in Africa; the first to develop a voluntary eco-certification scheme for hotels/lodges in Africa, the first to publish a Green Directory of producers of green products and services, the first to develop a Sustainability Standard for Tour Operators in E. Africa and the first to develop Green Destination Guidelines in Africa.