Graskop Gorge Lift Co Earns Silver at WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards
Press Release supplied by Graskop Gorge Lift Co
Graskop Gorge Lift Co (GGLC) has been recognised on a continental stage, taking home a silver award in the Nature Positive category at the World Travel Market (WTM) Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026.
The winners were announced on April 14 during WTM Africa 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, where tourism organisations from across Africa were honoured for innovative and impactful initiatives.
GGLC, located on Mpumalanga’s Panorama Route, was recognised for its approach to conservation-driven tourism that balances access with environmental protection. The attraction’s signature 51-metre viewing lift and elevated boardwalk system were specifically designed to provide minimal-impact access to a sensitive Afromontane forest that was previously under threat from unmanaged human activity.
According to the award citation, the site had faced challenges, including soil erosion, illegal plant harvesting and damage to fragile ecosystems before intervention. Today, the engineered infrastructure protects biodiversity while allowing visitors to experience the gorge in a controlled and sustainable way.
The judges also highlighted GGLC’s role in conservation education, describing the site as an ‘outdoor classroom’ where interpretive signage and guided experiences help visitors understand complex ecological processes. The gorge is home to a range of protected species, including the critically endangered Graskop cliff aloe.
Beyond its environmental impact, GGLC’s commitment to local economic development was also noted, with 90% of its workforce drawn from the immediate Graskop community and nearly two-thirds of procurement spend kept within a 100km radius.
Chair of the judges, Harold Goodwin, praised this year’s winners across the continent. “Each winner has shown us exciting ideas that others can learn from, and many are now delivering measurable system-level change, which is to be applauded,” he said.
Featured: Graskop Gorge Lift Co co-director James Sheard holds the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism silver award.
GGLC co-director James Sheard said the recognition affirms the company’s founding vision.
“This award is incredibly rewarding because it recognises what we set out to do from the beginning – to create a nature experience that is both accessible and genuinely protective of the environment,” he said. “Our vision has always been to open up a place of natural wonder to people who might never otherwise have the opportunity to experience it, while ensuring that the ecosystem is preserved for future generations. To have that approach acknowledged at this level is very meaningful for our team.”
Since opening, GGLC has evolved into a major tourism drawcard, combining its forest experience with adventure attractions, restaurants and family-friendly facilities. The site welcomed its one millionth visitor in 2024, cementing its position as a flagship destination along the Panorama Route.
The Nature Positive category recognises tourism initiatives that actively contribute to biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship, highlighting projects that demonstrate measurable positive impact on natural ecosystems.
Taking gold in the category was the Ele Collection in Zimbabwe, which transforms plastic waste into construction-grade aggregate, while providing income to community collectors and educating visitors through factory tours. One-to-watch awards went to Spekboom Southern Africa, a tour company offering an automated split-payment model that channels 2.5% of every booking directly to conservation or community causes at no extra cost to guests; and TUI Turtle Aid and Project Diversity in Cape Verde, where more than 1.2 million endangered turtle hatchlings have been protected since 2017.
Gold
- RuralRevive (Namibia) – Regenerative Tourism
- Saruni Basecamp (Kenya) – Regenerative Tourism
- Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company (South Africa) – Local Economic Benefit
- Traditional African Homestays (Southern Africa) – Championing Cultural Diversity
- V&A Waterfront Academy (South Africa) – Local Economic Benefit
Silver
- Elephant Human Relations Aid (Namibia) – Regenerative Tourism
- Green Planet & TUI Care Foundation (Egypt) – Championing Cultural Diversity
- Imvelo Safari Lodges (Zimbabwe) – Regenerative Tourism
- LUX Marijani (Zanzibar) – Local Economic Benefit
- Saruni Wild (Kenya) – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- TUI Futureshapers (North Africa) – Local Economic Benefit
- Unexplored Cape Town (South Africa) – Championing Cultural Diversity
One-to-watch
- Agro Tourism Park by Eco Terra Vista Tours (Rwanda) – Local Economic Benefit
- Cape Tourist Guides Association (South Africa) – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- Desert & Delta Safaris (Botswana) – Championing Cultural Diversity
- Green Safaris (Zambia and Malawi) – Regenerative Tourism
- Jacada Travel (Zimbabwe) – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
- TUI Care Foundation Field to Fork (Tanzania) – Regenerative Tourism
For further information or interviews about Graskop Gorge Lift Co:
Cathy Grosvenor
074 454 5820
