Twiga Tours Director Shazmin Manji Karmali says the accreditation will help put Kenya on the map as a sustainable tourism compliant destination./COURTESY
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 20 – Twiga Tours has received the Travelife Certificate award making them the first company in East Africa to attain the certification.
The award recognizes efforts the firm has put in sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility.
Speaking to Capital Business Twiga Tours Director Shazmin Manji Karmali says the accreditation will help put Kenya on the map as a sustainable tourism compliant destination.
“Sustainability is in different forms. It’s talking about your business practice, within and outside the office, staff and employment practices, human resources practices as well as the training you give to your staff,” she explained.
Travelife is the leading international sustainability certification for the travel sector.
The standard covers the ISO 26000 Corporate Social Responsibility themes, including environment, biodiversity, human rights and labour relations; and is accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council as in compliance with the GSTC criteria and certification procedures.
More than 35 national travel associations are promoting the scheme to their members including, KATO (Kenyan Association of Tour operators), ABTA, The British Travel Association and PATA, the Pacific Asian Travel Association.
“Twiga Car Hire & Tours is a Category “A” member of KATO and we are happy to note the effort they have made towards achieving this award. We trust that this recognition will inspire other companies to follow suit,” said Fred Kaigua, KATO CEO.
In Kenya, Travelife works in close partnership with Ecotourism Kenya, who is managing the customized scheme.
Jointly, Travelife, Ecotourism Kenya and KATO are presently implementing an EU funded initiative (Green Tour Kenya) to work towards a sustainable travel sector in Kenya. The project aims to support more than 100 KATO members in the adaptation of common sustainability standards.
“The award of sustainable tourism certification to Twiga Tours marks a major milestone for the tourism industry in Kenya. The tour operator’s certification complements the eco-rating certification standard for accommodation facilities and jointly work to give an assurance that Kenya’s tourism is sustainable,” says Grace Nderitu, Ecotourism Kenya CEO.
