Western Cape celebrates African Responsible Tourism Award Winners at WTM Africa 2026
The Western Cape Government has congratulated a cohort of outstanding provincial achievers recognised at the 2026 WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards, held in Cape Town during World Travel Market Africa last week. Their accolades, as reflected in the official citations published by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism and WTM Africa partners, underscore the Western Cape’s leadership in sustainable, inclusive and community‑centred tourism.
Among the Western Cape’s top honourees, the V&A Waterfront Academy received a prestigious Gold Award, recognising its role in nurturing skills, supporting enterprise development and expanding opportunity within one of Africa’s most visited waterfront precincts. Building on the V&A Waterfront’s long‑standing responsible tourism journey, the Academy has become a catalyst for training, mentorship and pathways into employment for young people and emerging entrepreneurs from across the city.
The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company was also honoured with a Gold Award, acknowledging its sustained, measurable progress in reducing environmental impact and deepening local benefit. Judges highlighted the Cableway’s long‑term commitment to responsible tourism – including significant achievements in waste reduction, resource efficiency and local sourcing – as a benchmark for how iconic natural attractions can be managed responsibly while welcoming large numbers of visitors.
Unexplored Cape Town was recognised with a Silver Award for its innovative approach to showcasing lesser‑known neighbourhoods and experiences in an authentic, community‑based way. By designing small‑group experiences that are locally led and rooted in everyday Cape Town life, Unexplored Cape Town demonstrates how tourism can support local guides, small businesses and creative practitioners while challenging visitors to look beyond traditional tourist hotspots.
The Cape Tourist Guides Association was named “One to Watch”, signalling the judges’ view that its responsible tourism policies and advocacy for professional, ethical and locally grounded guiding hold significant potential for wider impact. Through its work in championing continuous professional development, community engagement and responsible guiding standards, the Association is helping to ensure that the stories of the Western Cape are told in ways that respect people, place and heritage.
In their comments on Township & Village, the judges praised the Stellenbosch‑based enterprise for the way it strengthens local economic opportunities in township communities, creating dignified livelihoods and meaningful encounters between residents and visitors. Township & Village has previously been recognised with a Gold Award at WTM Africa and a Silver Award at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards for its replicable model of community‑driven tourism that keeps value in the local economy and foregrounds resident voices and ownership.
Together, these Western Cape organisations demonstrate the breadth of responsible tourism leadership in the province – spanning major attractions, waterfront precincts, community‑based enterprises, specialist tour operators and professional associations. Their achievements illustrate how tourism can be used to create jobs and small business opportunities, preserve cultural and natural heritage, reduce environmental footprints and foster more inclusive, respectful engagement between visitors and host communities.
The Western Cape Government commends all award recipients and finalists and will continue to work with partners across the tourism ecosystem to promote and scale responsible tourism practices. By supporting innovators, recognising excellence and sharing lessons from these leaders, the province aims to ensure that tourism growth goes hand‑in‑hand with social, economic and environmental responsibility.