Ecotourism Kenya: Another achievement for Eco-rating Certification

Dec 01, 2016

Ecotourism Kenya announced yet another achievement for Eco-rating Certification. The Kenya based organization received another boost with the signing of a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between Fair Trade Tourism and Ecotourism Kenya. Sustainable tourism in Africa has received another great boost with the signing of a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) between Fair Trade Tourism and Ecotourism Kenya.

The MRA sees Fair Trade Tourism recognizing Ecotourism Kenya's Gold eco-certified camps, lodges and hotels which can now be incorporated by approved tour operators into Fair Trade Holidays – holiday packages that represent global best practice in responsible tourism. These packages feature a minimum of 50% bed nights spent in a Fair Trade Tourism certified (or recognized) property, and can also feature certified activities and tours which contribute towards this percentage.

Launched in 2002 and recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) Ecotourism Kenya’s Eco-rating Certification Scheme is a sustainable tourism voluntary certification program that has certified more than 100 facilities across Kenya. Ecotourism Kenya’s Eco-rating scheme Gold standard facilities now recognized by Fair Trade Tourism are:

• Base Camp Maasai Mara, Maasai Mara
• Camp ya Kanzi, Amboseli
• Cottars 1920 Camp, Maasai Mara
• Elephant Pepper Camp, Maasai Mara
• Elsa’s Kopje, Laikipia
• Kicheche Bush Camp, Maasai Mara
• Kicheche Laikipia, Laikipia
• Kicheche Mara Camp, Maasai Mara
• Kicheche Valley Camp, Maasai Mara
• Kilima Camp, Maasai Mara
• Kitich Camp, Samburu
• Lake Elmenteita Serena Camp, Nakuru
• Lewa Safari Camp, Laikipia
• Mara Plains Camp, Maasai Mara
• Medina Palms Hotel, Watamu
• Naboisho Camp, Maasai Mara
• Olarro Lodge, Maasai Mara
• Porini Amboseli Camp
• Porini Lion Camp, Maasai Mara
• Porini Mara Camp, Maasai Mara
• Porini Rhino Camp, Laikipia
• Sanctuary Olonana, Maasai Mara
• Sasaab Samburu, Samburu
• Serena Beach Hotel and Spa, Mombasa
• Solio Lodge, Nyeri
• Sirikoi Lodge, Laikipia
• Sweetwaters Serena Tented Camp, Laikipia
• Tawi Lodge, Amboseli
• Tortilis Camp, Amboseli
• Turtle Bay Beach Club, Watamu

Fair Trade Tourism is a leading Southern African non-profit organization promoting responsible tourism development. It grows awareness about responsible tourism to travelers, assists tourism businesses to operate more sustainably and facilitates a globally recognized certification program. In 2011 its certification standard became the first in Africa to be recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. The organization’s steady expansion into Africa through direct product certification and partnerships with like-minded certification programs has positioned it at the forefront of the sub-continent’s sustainable, responsible tourism efforts. ‘We are thrilled to have formalized our partnership with Ecotourism Kenya’ says Fair Trade Tourism Director Jane Edge. ‘This means that it is now possible to travel the Fair Trade way in eight countries – Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Seychelles, Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, as well as Kenya’.

Source: Committed to AfricaUnique Safari ExperiencesKenyaConservation