Announcing The 2018 Eco Warrior Award Winners

The 2018 Eco Warrior Award Winners

This World Tourism Day, Ecotourism Kenya is proud to announce the winners of the 13^thEdition of the Eco Warrior Award. The theme for the 2018 Eco Warrior Award is, Tourism; Protecting Culture and Heritage.

Ecotourism Kenya hosted this year’s annual gala dinner yesterday at Crowne Plaza, Nairobi. Notable personalities who graced the event included; The Chief Guest Speaker Dr. Evangeline Njoka, Secretary General, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO; The Chief Judge Hon. Faith Wathome Kithu (MBS), CECEM- Tourism, Sports, Youth & Culture, Machakos County, Dr. Elizabeth Oduor, Chief Officer- ICT, Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts, Siaya County, Ms Jacinta Nzioka, Managing Director, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) invited guest/dignitaries, Ecotourism Kenya board members, Chairpersons of state corporations and the vast tourism network at large.

The 2018 Eco Warriors were celebrated in pomp and color at the “Kenya Night Experience” gala dinner. The winners of the 10 distinct categories were recognized for their outstanding contributions in the promotion of culture and heritage within their various fields in Kenya. These individuals, business owners, organizations and community groups all displayed great passion for cultural heritage and were able to showcase their successful endeavors in the protection of the same through innovative literary works, art, research, initiatives and projects.

The following are the 2018 Eco Warrior Award Winners:

Amboseli Serena Safari Lodge clinched the first place position in the Best Accommodation Facility in Promoting Culture and Heritage category, sponsored by Tourism Fund (TF). The Runners Up were Kicheche Mara Camp and Cottars’ 1920s Camp.

The Best Training Institution in Promoting Culture and Heritage category was awarded to both Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology & Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and proudly sponsored by Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT).

The Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) sponsored the Best Tour Operator in Engaging People and Culture category. Uniglobe Lets Go Travel emerged the winner in this category. Gamewatchers Safaris Ltd was the runner’s up in this category.

The Best Community Based Tourism Operator (CBTO) in Promoting Cultural and Heritage category was awarded to Kakapel Cultural Centre. Mlilo Community Based Tourism Association and Otenyo Cultural Group who gave a stunning performance, were the runner’s up. Crowne Plaza Hotel, Nairobi were the sponsors of this category.

Selenkay Conservancy dominated the Best Conservancy in Promoting Culture and Heritage category, sponsored by Kenya Wildlife Trust (KWT).

Jeremiah Njogu took home the trophy for Best Student in Engaging People, Culture and Heritage category. Lenny Macharia held the runner’s up position in this category which was sponsored by Africa Fund for Endangered Wildlife (AFEW).

Serena Beach Resort and Spa anchored their position of first place in the Best in Protecting Marine Heritage category, sponsored by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Thomas Mwiraria’s literary works on cultural heritage won him the Best Journalist/Blogger in Promoting People, Culture and Heritage. Mary Wangeci and Wangeci Gitahi tied in the runner’s up position in this category proudly sponsored by Go Places.

Elgeyo Marakwet County emerged as the Best Destination in Promoting Culture and Heritage, with the County Government of Siaya claiming the runner’s up position. This category was sponsored by Kenya Tourism Board.

Zuri Events, sponsored the Best Heritage Attraction category, with Kitale Museum narrowly outpacing the runners up, Karen Blixen Museum.

Special recognition to the youngest ever Eco Warrior, 8-year-old Climate Change Champion, Ellyanne Wanjiku Chlystun, for her great achievements in actively and sustainably protecting the environment. Her passion at such a tender age is remarkable and awe-inspiring.

The Eco-Warrior Award is a Kenyan tourism award that recognizes and celebrates outstanding contributions 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.