Leading in Progressive Policies’ Award

A country, head of state, minister or government organization/team who has shown progressive and excellence in policy-making for sustainable tourism growth and development in their destination.

1
Daisy Sethunya Tlotlego (South Africa) - Sidilega Private Hospital

Reason 1: Activist on Clinical Environmental issues making a nurse voice audible in issues pertaining to preserving natural spaces.

Reason 2: Pushing the ideology of getting rid of having incernaration to be the main go to when it comes to disposing clinical waste.

Reason 3: Accepting Botswana and pushing the ideology of it being visible to the rest of the world -using platforms such as Wikipedia to add pictures and stories about it being a good outstanding tourism destination.

Website - Daisy Sethunya Tlotlego

2
CEO - Kenya Tourism Board (Kenya)

Reason 1: Digital Inclusion and Technology
- Digital Economy Strategy: Kenya has embraced technology and innovation, with a strong focus on developing a digital economy. The country has made significant strides in mobile technology, fintech, and digital entrepreneurship, positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s tech landscape.

Reason 2: Environmental Conservation and Climate Change
- Climate Change Mitigation: Kenya has been proactive in addressing climate change, with policies aimed at promoting renewable energy, sustainable land use, and conservation. The country has set ambitious targets to increase its use of renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Reason 3: Inclusive and Progressive Social Policies
- Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment: Kenya has implemented policies to promote gender equality and empower women. This includes initiatives to increase women’s participation in leadership, protect women’s rights, and address gender-based violence.

Website - CEO - Kenya Tourism Board

3
CEO - Botswana Tourism Organisation (Botswana)

Reason 1: Citizen Economic Empowerment: Botswana's tourism policy promotes active citizen participation in the tourism sector, focusing on economic empowerment, job creation, and investment growth. This policy ensures that local communities benefit directly from tourism activities, enhancing their livelihoods and promoting economic diversification.

Reason 2: Tourism Product Diversification: The country has prioritized product development and diversification, moving beyond traditional wildlife tourism to include events tourism, cluster development, cultural tourism development, community project development, and dams tourism. This approach has helped attract more tourists and increased tourist traffic.

Reason 3: Community-Based Tourism Initiatives: Botswana's tourism policy supports community-based initiatives, such as community trusts and joint venture partnerships. For example, the Botswana Tourism Organisation has facilitated partnerships in Mababe and Khwai, generating significant investments and employment opportunities for local communities. These initiatives not only promote sustainable tourism but also contribute to the country's economic growth and development.

Website - CEO - Botswana Tourism Organisation

4
Marketer - Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (Mauritius)

Reason 1: Investment Promotion and Facilitation: Mauritius has implemented policies to attract foreign direct investment, including privatization, lifting entry restrictions, and removal of foreign exchange restrictions. The country has also established institutions to promote investment and provide incentives for investors.

Reason 2: Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction: Mauritius has made significant progress in reducing poverty and inequality. The government has implemented policies to promote inclusive growth, including social protection expenditures, progressive income taxes, and better targeting of social spending. Initiatives to boost economic productivity, develop infrastructure, and improve labor force skills are also underway.

Reason 3: Environmental Protection and Sustainability: Mauritius is committed to environmental protection and sustainability. The government has pledged to amend the constitution to protect the environment, invest in renewable energy, and reduce fossil fuel imports. Additionally, there are initiatives to promote sustainable land management, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

Website - Marketer - Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

5
Chief Executive Officer - Namibia Tourism Board (Namibia)

Reason 1: Land Reform and Redistribution: Namibia has implemented policies to address historical land imbalances, focusing on redistributing land to previously disadvantaged communities. This includes initiatives to acquire commercial farmland for resettlement and support for communal land rights.

Reason 2: Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management: Namibia is recognized for its commitment to conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. The country has established a network of national parks and protected areas, and promotes community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) to benefit local communities.

Reason 3: Inclusive Education and Skills Development: Namibia has prioritized education and skills development, with policies aimed at improving access to quality education for all. This includes initiatives to promote inclusive education, vocational training, and skills development programs to support economic growth and development.

Website - Marketer - Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority

6
Chief Executive Officer - Rwanda Development Board (Rwanda)

Reason 1: Gender Equality: Rwanda has made significant strides in promoting gender equality, with women holding 61% of the seats in the national parliament, the highest percentage in the world. This representation has contributed to the country's development and decision-making processes.

Reason 2: Environmental Conservation: Rwanda is a leader in environmental conservation, with strict policies to protect its natural resources. The country has implemented initiatives such as a nationwide ban on plastic bags, monthly community clean-up days (Umuganda), and efforts to increase forest cover and protect endangered species.

Reason 3: Technology and Innovation: Rwanda has invested heavily in technology, aiming to become a regional tech hub. The Kigali Innovation City project is a testament to this vision, and the country has also introduced a national drone delivery service for medical supplies, reducing delivery times for life-saving products.

Website - Rwanda

7
Minister of Tourism & Hospitality Industry (Zimbabwe)

Reason 1: Strategic Tourism Policy Direction: The Ministry of Tourism and Hospitality Industry has introduced a comprehensive policy to support Zimbabwe's ambition to become an upper-middle-income economy by 2030. This policy aims to grow the tourism sector to exceed $5 billion by 2025 and position Zimbabwe as a prime tourist destination.

Reason 2: Tourism Act Amendments: The government is amending the Tourism Act to reflect current socio-economic and political conditions. Key proposed changes include reconfiguring the Zimbabwe Tourism Fund for transparency and accountability, strengthening the registration and grading of tourist facilities, and regulating online booking platforms. Additionally, the Zimbabwe National Conventions Bureau will be established as a standalone entity to maximize business tourism potential.

Reason 3: Cluster Approach: The tourism sector is organized into eleven clusters, including Business Tourism, Sports Tourism, Culture and Heritage Tourism, and Medical Tourism. This approach focuses on developing well-structured programs, training the workforce, and creating robust legal and financial systems.

Website - Minister of Tourism & Hospitality Industry

8
Department of Tourism (South Africa) - Patricia De Lille (Leading in Progressive Policies’)

Reason 1: Constitutional Protection of Rights: South Africa's Constitution enshrines a wide range of rights, including equality, human dignity, freedom of expression, and access to healthcare, education, and housing. The Constitution also provides for the establishment of institutions to support democracy, such as the Public Protector and the Human Rights Commission.

Reason 2: Affirmative Action and Black Economic Empowerment: South Africa has implemented policies to address historical inequalities, including the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act. This policy aims to promote economic transformation and empowerment of black people, including women, youth, and people with disabilities.

Reason 3: Progressive Labour Laws: South Africa has enacted labour laws that protect workers' rights, including the Labour Relations Act, the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, and the Employment Equity Act. These laws promote fair labour practices, regulate working conditions, and prohibit unfair discrimination in the workplace.

Website - Department of Tourism