South Africa’s Mdluli Safari Lodge, won a global award, on Friday, at the 84th Skal International Congress, in Peru.
The land housing the lodge has been part of the Greater Kruger National Park, since 1967, and was won by the Mdluli community via a claim, in 1998.
The lodge was built and opened its doors, just before COVID, back in 2020.
Chris Schalkwyk, Executive Manager of the Lodge, said “we are extremely proud of the award and believe it’s deserved recognition, for all the hard work.”
The Lodge has a strong conservation ethos, evident in its energy use of sustainable materials in the heating system, inverters to use less power, a solar system to reduce the carbon footprint, right through to a sewerage system.
It is also hands on, in the fight against poaching, alongside the South African National Parks (SANParks).
“Our focus is also on uplifting the Mdluli community. Sustainable development is extremely important to us. We started with nothing, and now employ more than 130 people” said Schalkwyk.
In addition, there are several small and medium enterprises who benefit from the Lodge.
This is the second time the Lodge was entered in the category: “Community, Government and Service Company.” Last year, they were the runner ups, but finally clinched the award this year.
The awards were attended by Skal’s Executive Board, global and international bigwigs in sustainable tourism and some Government officials from Peru.
Panelists included Ion Vilcu, Director of UN Tourism, Patricio Azcárate Díaz, Secretary General of Biosphere and the Responsible Tourism Institute (RTI), Paloma Zapata, CEO of Sustainable Travel International and Fabian Román, member of the RTI Board of Directors.
Other winners are Hayleys Leisure PLC, Sri Lanka in the accommodation, food and hospitality category, ITC Maurya, New Delhi in the communications, The Asian Footprints (Whitehat Media). Winner of the social programs is Waterbom Bali (PT Bali Ocean Magic), Indonesia, while Saudi Red Sea Authority, Saudi Arabia, won the land and marine biodiversity category.
Saruni Basecamp, from Kenya, won the Tour Operators and travel agencies category.
Picture: Bookings.com