BABATI-based tour operator—Chem Chem Safaris has scooped the award for tourism and conservation initiatives by involving the community.

The award has been given recently by the International African Travel and Tourism Association (ATTA) in London, UK, which involved various countries in the world.

Announcing the winner, Nigel Vere Nicoll, ATTA President said: “We received an overwhelming number of excellent applications for our inaugural awards, and we are grateful to all those who whole-heartedly supported this initiative. We are impressed by the commitment of so many within the tourism industry to impact conservation and communities, and we sincerely hope that the work of the winners and finalists will be inspirational to many.” 

Nicoll said the awards had eight elements that are recognized by the World Tourism Federation.

"After the judges went through the merits of each institution and also received comments from tourists who visited those areas, Chem Chem was the first overall winner due to being able to involve the community in the Burunge WMA area in conservation and Tourism and benefiting the community," he said.

Other institutions announced as winners, in the presentation of the awards held in London, England, are from the countries of England, Namibia, Kenya, and Botswana.

Clever Zulu, Chem Chem Safaris executive manager said the victory of the award for Conservation and Tourism that involves the community, which they have received, is due to the great efforts of the Government and other stakeholders to promote the tourism and conservation sector in the country.

"We thank Chem Chem for getting this award which means a lot in our tourism and conservation activities, which involves the community to a large extent," he said

Zulu said the victory is also the result of the good work of President Samia Suluhu to open up the country in Tourism and attract thousands of tourists from around the world to Tanzania.

"We will continue to cooperate with the government and the tourism and conservation institutions of TANAPA, TAWA, TAWIRI but also Burunge WMA to develop tourism and conservation in this area for the benefit of the present and future generations," he said.

Elizabeth Omboi, Chem Chem hotel manager said that the victory means a lot to them and will attract more tourists.

"We have been doing local tourism activities by involving the community, we give aid to support the education, health, and environment sectors and even support groups of mothers in entrepreneurship," said Omboi.

Peter Corneli, head of restaurant at the Chem Chem hotel said that among the other reasons that have been attracting tourists to visit their hotels is to get Tanzanian natural food that is well prepared and to have the opportunity to walk in wildlife areas.

Benson Mwaise, secretary of Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) said the victory of Chemchem is the victory of Burunge WMA because Chemchem is one of the institutions that have invested in the area.

"We have been comforted by this victory, the world has recognized our efforts in conservation but also the community's participation in tourism and conservation activities, this is a very big thing," he said.

Other Tanzanian institutions that have received awards include Chumbe Island Coral Park, Asilia Africa, Lemala Camps, and Lodges Tanzania.

Chem Chem Safaris owns and operates three exclusive safari camps in the 50,000-acre Burunge Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Northern Tanzania. The land belongs to the communities around Chem Chem who have set it aside for conservation and wildlife protection.