Welcome to the Regenerative Travel Impact Awards, where we gather to honor the extraordinary individuals who are redefining the boundaries of travel and reshaping it into a force for positive change. Among the luminaries we celebrate, there exists a special category: the Regenerative Change Maker of the Year. This award shines a spotlight on those visionary individuals who, through their unwavering determination and transformative ideas, are steering the travel industry toward a future rooted in regenerativity.
Within this arena of innovation and inspiration, the Change Maker of the Year stands as a paragon of what is possible when passion meets purpose. The challenges we face demand profound shifts in perspective and action, these change makers embody the essence of leadership. They ignite conversations, foster collaboration, and challenge established norms, all while holding a steadfast commitment to the regeneration of our planet and its people.
The Regenerative Travel Impact Awards stand as a testament to our shared commitment to building a world that thrives on principles of sustainability, equity, and lasting impact. In the heart of these awards lies the recognition that travel holds the potential to be a catalyst for positive transformation, both within our own lives and within the communities we encounter.
View the winner & finalists:
Winner
Julie Cheetham: Founder and Managing Director of Weeva – South Africa
Julie Cheetham, the visionary Founder and Managing Director of Weeva and Head of Sustainability at Nianova Advisors, is a dedicated leader driving regenerative travel forward. Her resolute commitment reflects her pursuit of lasting industry transformation. Despite hospitality and tourism being vital for the global economy, their substantial environmental impact, contributing up to 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, necessitates more than carbon offsetting to align with ambitious climate goals. Weeva, a pioneering Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform, emerged from Julie’s efforts, providing travel businesses with affordable, data-driven sustainability practices that catalyze profound change.
Weeva’s innovative 360° Framework embodies holistic sustainability assessment rooted in The Long Run 4C’s – Conservation, Commerce, Culture, and Community. By tracking and managing 18 interconnected parameters, it addresses the multifaceted dimensions of sustainability. Julie and co-founder Lindsey Walter believe in integrating social aspects with environmental efforts, fostering a culture of sustainability within organizations. Weeva’s role extends beyond data handling, serving as an educational conduit that empowers teams. Julie’s leadership not only enhances business impact but also nurtures future change agents. Concurrently, in her capacity as Head of Sustainability at Nianova Advisors, she leverages her expertise to cultivate sustainable enterprises across Africa and beyond.
Finalists
Aziza Mbwana, Assistant Head Ranger at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge – Tanzania
Aziza Mbwana, Assistant Head Ranger at &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, has consistently paved the way for change with her trailblazing spirit. Her very name, Aziza, meaning powerful and beloved, presaged the exceptional woman she would become. Today, she shines as an unwavering source of inspiration for young women across Tanzania. Aziza serves not only as a mentor but also as a symbol of social progress, embodying excellence as an exceptional safari guide. Over 19 years, her unrelenting determination has time and again silenced doubters.
Her journey has been marked by well-deserved accolades. Aziza secured the title of “Best Female Safari Guide” at the 2020 Tanzania Tour Guide Awards. This triumph was further cemented in 2023 when she clinched the award for the “Inspirational and Long-Serving Female Safari Guide in Tanzania.” Amid the genuine challenges of balancing her role as a full-time guide and a mother of three, Aziza’s commitment to conservation and its positive impact on communities remains steadfast. Embracing her pioneering role as a leader and matriarch, she has spearheaded transformative initiatives within local communities, reshaped societal perceptions regarding the safari guide’s role, and cultivated an enduring legacy of change.
Jamal Galves: Manatee Conservation Program Director at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute – Belize
Jamal Galvez stands as the distinguished Manatee Conservation Program Director at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute in Belize. Concurrently, he is a dedicated contributor to the Sea to Shore Alliance organization, passionately engaged in the preservation of the endangered Antillean manatees in Belize. His tireless efforts have solidified Belize’s position as the last refuge for this imperiled species. Rooted in his dedication to ecological renewal, Jamal’s work has focused on revitalizing and revitalizing the well-being of these serene creatures, embodying the essence of regenerative conservation
Jamal Galvez’s dedication, expertise, and collaborative spirit have not only nurtured the revival of the Antillean manatee population in Belize but have also catalyzed a global movement toward its conservation. His unwavering commitment has woven a tapestry of regenerative change, enriching both the natural world and the collective knowledge of the global conservation community.
Robyn Woodhead‘s Vision for Responsible Travel: A Blueprint for Antarctica and Beyond
Amid the pristine and delicate wilderness of Antarctica, Robyn Woodhead is a pioneer in advocating for responsible governance of this remote region. The genesis of White Desert Antarctica can be traced back to Robyn’s first solo experience of living in a tent in Antarctica alone for three months in 2005. After falling in love, she went on to become the first South African woman to journey to both the North and South Poles. The Antarctic Treaty, signed by 56 countries, serves as the cornerstone for safeguarding Antarctica as a demilitarized zone devoted to scientific research, peace and responsible tourism. In 1991, the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) was established, aiming to self-regulate tourism underneath the treaty parties’ permitting process, due to the fact that no one country owns Antarctica. This endeavor underscored the principle that every stakeholder strives to conserve Antarctica given its unique status.
Robyn has been a member of IAATO for almost 20 years now and for the past five years, a part of the Executive Committee, and its Chair for 2022. She has significantly helped shape various tourism policies, environmental guidelines and sustainable tourism strategies. Some of which include; the recently unanimously voted in Climate Change Pledge, Toolkits and mandatory fuel submission data of 2022. Contributing to the creation of the 10 Knot “go slow” initiative, in specific geofenced areas of Antarctica, designed to restore humpback whale populations, while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions in the Southern Ocean. As a passionate Antarctic Ambassador, Robyn also believes we are all stewards of Antarctica, and supports enhanced collaboration between tourism and scientific research in Antarctica, where tourism actively supports scientific research. Robyn’s efforts to preserve Antarctica’s natural beauty and leave no trace, as well as support scientific research, make her a true advocate for responsible tourism in this unique and delicate environment.
Beks Ndlovu: Empowering Communities and Ecosystems with African Bush Camps Foundation
Founded in 2006 by Zimbabwean guide Beks Ndlovu, African Bush Camps offers travelers an immersive African safari experience, deeply connected to nature and local communities. With a focus on intimate heartlands in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, the company’s locally recruited guides possess rich knowledge of the region’s wildlife and culture. They craft transformative experiences, making African Bush Camps a hub for exceptional safari adventures. Operating in harmony with the environment and local communities, African Bush Camps champions empathy, intuition, and sustainability. Their African Bush Camps Foundation, staffed locally, fosters education, empowerment, and conservation in the areas surrounding the camps. Partnering with nearby communities, the foundation addresses challenges like unemployment, education gaps, and wildlife preservation through feeding programs and other initiatives.
The Foundation’s feeding programs, active in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Botswana, have made a tangible impact, enhancing school attendance and academic performance, particularly among disadvantaged children. These programs are vital to combat hunger and its consequences, and the foundation aims to serve 20,000 meals in 2023. Supporters can contribute as little as $10 a week to help African Bush Camps feed learners, with Global Giving matching the first donation up to $200 for new monthly donors.
