WHY ?

As we all know, Namibia was the first country in the world to specifically address habitat conservation and the protection of natural resources in its Constitution.

Community-based conservation tourism also promotes the sustainable management of natural resources and stimulates cultural preservation.

From protecting delicate desert ecosystems and endangered wildlife to preserving important cultural traditions, Namibia is a world leader in responsible tourism and conservation. With a growing annual number travellers to Namibia, its commitment to responsible tourism is vital for a positive impact on the environment, economy, culture and resources.

This is WHY, tourism private sector and more specially tour operators must work actively in the same direction to motivate and develop a sustainable tourism. And TASA is here to guide you on that beautiful path !

HOW ?

Tour operators must lead the way towards the future of tourism, respecting the environment and its inhabitants. And we need to show our good intentions to our travellers.

One of the first action, would be to get an official recognition as being a responsible operator. At present, the best way would be to apply and get your Nambia Eco-Awards. It will give you guidelines and an official recognition you will be able to include in your marketing strategy.

Secondly, tour operators should support some local NGO’s which have been working for many years into conservation, to allow them to carry on their amazing job. Bear in mind CONSERVATION in Southern Africa is recognized worldwide, those NGO’s are taking care of our main touristic attractions : landscapes, people and animals. Let’s support them! They are also working for us. This is why TASA has became a TOSCO & NEWS member, to show, as an association, our gratitude towards their implication and dedication to conservation.

Finally, tour operators have to inform and educate our travellers to make sure their impact will be as little as possible.

And together, we can!

Eco Awards Namibia

Eco-Awards Namibia is the only Certification Program, rating sustainability in Namibian Tourism industry. It is an NGO-partnership of twelve organisations, comprising private sector, civil society, parastatal Tertiary Institutions and government, including the Namibian Tourism Board, that have come together to form an ‘Alliance’.
This Alliance promote, supports and facilitates the development of responsible and sustainable tourism in Namibia, specifically through the Eco Awards Namibia programme, making Namibia a destination of choice for environmentally conscious tourists and setting international standards of excellence in the industry.

Eco Awards Namibia | MAIN OBJECTIVES

  • To promote the concepts and practices of eco-friendliness and sustainability within the tourism sector

  • To create economic and social incentives for sustainable tourism

  • To identify and share best practices in eco-friendly and sustainable tourism through the industry

  • To demonstrate that eco-friendly approaches to sustainable development create financial benefits for participating establishments and companies

  • To help establish the highest standards of professionalism regarding eco-friendly and sustainable tourism

  • To recognise and acknowledge tourism enterprises that have achieved high standards in eco-friendly and sustainable tourism

  • To help promote Namibia as a world-class destination for eco-friendly tourists

  • To serve as a national professional body of expertise for eco-friendly and sustainable tourism, and where relevant and appropriate, to advocate on behalf of this subject.

Eco Awards Namibia | CRITERIA

  • Conservation & land management

  • Water management

  • Waste management & sewage disposal

  • Energy management

  • Sustainable & appropriate construction & landscaping

  • Guiding

  • Staff development

  • Social responsibility & human welfare

Eco Awards Namibia | BENEFITS

Benefit 1:

The Eco Awards Website is the only locally based data-base, listing proven Sustainable Tourism Businesses in Namibia. This is updated frequently, and there is an increasing interest from many of the International Tour Agents who are concerned about Sustainable Destinations for their clients.

Benefit 2:

Eco Awards Namibia receives frequent requests from international agents such as Best of Africa, Futouris, Evaneos and Meiers Weltreisen for Membership lists. Recently, this trend became inclusive of international journalists and bloggers. This is a result of a growing awareness amongst travellers, regarding the sustainability of their destinations.

Benefit 3:

Being certified by Eco Awards Namibia, means qualifying to enter the prestigious Responsible Tourism Awards, offered annually by Namibia Media Holdings, with the results being announced during the official opening of the Annual Namibian Tourism Expo and extensive social media coverage. We are working towards extending the benefits to the winners, to be entered into African and Global Sustainable Travel contests

Benefit 4:

Management – all of our members had realised that this subsection of our criteria, had made them aware of what they can do to manage their establishments more cost-effectively. They found that by saving on the use of natural resources, they save money by default – Doing Well by Doing Good!

Eco Awards Namibia | STEP – by – STEP

The time frame for an assessment is usually around 3 months. I am attaching the criteria for the Self Assessment. It usually take a few weeks for the operators to complete the self-assessment. The most challenging part, might be to draft a Sustainable Tourism Policy or – Plan for your operation.… I am attaching a template, which can be used to get started.

The Self-Assessment needs to be completed and sent back to Eco Awards in Word format. The document is attached, as well as a “List of Evidence”-document, which explains exactly what is needed as evidence for the assessor. (Please note that none of these need to be printed material – electronic evidence is absolutely acceptable and much kinder to the environment..!)

The next step is an actual assessment of the operator’s office, which usually only takes a few hours (depending on the location of the operator and the level of readiness).

A Self-Assessment needs to be completed and sent back to Eco Awards (Word format).

Assessment of the operator’s office, which usually only takes a few hours.

An assessor needs to go on a part of an actual guided safari with the guide and guests, for the tour briefing upon arrival, and at least 3 days of the tour, to verify the content of the report.

The final reviewed report is returned to the operator, a certificate is presented (usually at a prestigious tourism event) and an electronic stamp is offered.

  • The time frame for an assessment is usually around 3 months.

  • The cost of the assessment is currently N$14 000.00, payable as soon as the assessment had been done.

  • Certification is valid for 3 years ( A re-assessment would be due three years after the date of the final report)

TOSCO | Tourism Supporting Conservation Trust

TASA is a member of TOSCO

TOSCO is an NGO that offers tourism businesses a platform to link travel to positive conservation outcomes, by supporting the communities that look after it. Rural communities have been central to Namibia’s conservation success story, and so the relationship between tourism and nature can only be strengthened and deepened when travel contributes to poverty alleviation and rural economic development. This way, communities can benefit from maintaining a healthy environment.

Responsible Travel Guidelines

NEWS | Namibian Environment & Wildlife Society

TASA became a member of NEWS

NEWS is a national, membership-based, not-for-profit organisation, open to anyone with an interest in our environment. Formed in 1966 as the Namibian branch of the Wildlife Society of Southern Africa (now the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa, WESSA).