Island Safaris wins in 2020 Africa

Ilha Blue Island Safaris, a tourism social enterprise and former Gold Award winner, is a winner for a second time in the Africa Responsible Tourism Awards. “We are very pleased to receive the 2020 Silver award in the category of Responsible Destination. And we would like to dedicate the award to the magnificent destination of Ilha de Moçambique..” said Gail Woods, co Founder of Ilha Blue Island Safaris. (The previous Gold award was ‘Best for Engaging people and Culture’ in 2017).

“Our hope is that Ilha de Moçambique will become known not only as a UNESCO World Heritage site but also as a responsible tourism destination with world class marine attractions, a destination where local knowledge and traditions are valued and maintained.”

“Tourism is a very important economic activity for Ilha de Moçambique and now, in these rapidly changing times, it is essential to the future of the island that we maintain responsible practices in every area.”

Ilha Blue Island Safaris was awarded because of their outstanding contribution to developing Ilha de Moçambique as a responsible tourism destination. The judges were particularly impressed with Ilha Blue’s success in bringing the community together for the inaugural ‘Welcome the Whales Festival’.

Ilha Blue has done more than any other operator to expand the tourism offerings for visitors to Ilha de Moçambique. They have achieved this by increasing the focus on the marine environment that has international natural significance. New offerings include professional Whale Watching, Ilha das Cobras Wilderness Camping, Shipwreck Snorkelling and Kayaking Adventures. Through this they are further privileging local knowledge and increasing economic opportunities for local benefit.

For more information you may visit:

Website: www.ilhablue.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ilhablue.islandsafaris

Trip Advisor: Ilha Blue-Day Tours, Mozambique Island

---

The Judges’ Reasons: 2020 Inspirational Africa Responsible Tourism Awards

(…)

Destination Award

There are two outstanding winners in this category: !Khwa ttu has created a destination for people long since displaced from the Cape, and Ilha Blue has from small beginnings transformed a destination. Both are internationally outstanding examples of Responsible Tourism.

(…)

Silver: Ilha Blue Island Safaris, Ilha de Moçambique

·         As they win this Award, Ilha Blue is reorganising to address Coronavirus

lha Blue won Gold in the Africa Awards, Engaging People & Culture category in 2017. The judges recognised the deep and diverse cultural experiences offered by Ilha Blue on the African World Heritage Ilha de Moçambique. Ilha Blue offers an exotic mix of Makhuwa, Swahili, Arabic, Indian, and Portuguese cultures through low impact small group tours by bicycle, sea-kayak and Swahili sailing dhow with diverse local voices.

Ilha Blue is a rare example of a business which has recognised the importance of localhood, of focussing on local people with respect. Through their approach to developing local experiences for tourists, they have enriched the tourists’ experience of local cultures and lifestyles and created sustainable livelihoods. Under-educated locals struggled to benefit from tourism; now they have opportunities as guides and storytellers to tell a complete story, there is more to the history and culture of the Ilha de Moçambique than its colonial past. Ilha Blue played a leading role in initiating the annual Welcome the Whales Festival a community festival which celebrates  humpback whales birthing site. The inaugural festival brought together a broad cross-section of the community in active participation. From ‘escolinhas’ (preschools), primary and secondary schools to university students; local fishermen and the Port Authority; local government and non-government agencies; arts practitioners including visual arts, film, music, dance and theatre performances; local cooks; private and public sector, BCI bank, World Cetacean Alliance; hotels; international volunteers. Responsible whale watching education workshops included local government staff and entrepreneurs. Dhow safety and licensing has been implemented and maintained by the Port Authority. This annual event is a community festival which welcomes guests.

Local guiding has become a profession which now carries respect in the local community, and the tourism industry and the guiding community now include young women, two of whom have expressed interest in becoming snorkelling guides. Ilha Blue has provided free tourism training for scores of individuals, many of whom have benefited from the university courses now available on the island. Ilha Blue’s manager was head-hunted by the university to lecture and co-ordinate the course. Two Ilha Blue guides have established tourism businesses.