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Transfrontier Parks Destinations have been recognised in the World and Africa Awards.
In 2016 TFPD won Gold in the 'Best in Poverty Reduction’ in the Africa Responsible Tourism Awards
African RT Awards Gold Winner: !Xaus Lodge
"The Gold Award went to !Xaus Lodge a community-owned, commercially managed lodge in the South African part of the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The judges were particularly impressed by both the scale of the contribution and the transparent quantification of the economic and social benefits flowing to the economically poor and marginalized communities of the Khomani San and Mier from their lodge.”
In 2016 TFPD won Silver in the 'Best in Poverty Reduction and Inclusion’ in the World Responsible Tourism Awards
World RT Awards Silver Winner: !Xaus Lodge
"!Xaus Lodge's raison d'être was and still is to help reduce poverty in the area, with this region being so remote and also one of the least visited by tourists in South Africa. It has been managed sustainably by Transfrontier Parks Destinations (TFPD), creating income for these two communities by paying rental for the land use, an equity share in the company, employing local people as well as traditional craftsmen and women, with fulltime employees earning nearly 50 percent more than the average household in the region. There are in fact three things that make!Xaus Lodge different to others in the region. First of all, it is fully catered, while others are self-catering facilities, which means that local community employees are fully trained in hospitality, catering and so on. Second, all expeditions into the desert are fully guided by members of the local community, who have been trained in guiding techniques and naturalist skills. Third, it is Fair Trade Tourism certified. This process has brought the two peoples together with conservation and community far outdoing past conflict." citation
