TESFA win award in recognition of their efforts to use tourism to tackle poverty.

 

16th November 2005, TESFA pick up a prestigious award at the World Travel Market, London.

The Award, sponsored by one of the largest tour operator conglomerates First Choice, in association with the Times newspaper among other well known organisations, was given to TESFA in recognition of their pioneering work in using tourism to tackle poverty.

"TESFA thanks Ethiopian Airlines- the only airline directly linking London to the Ethiopian capital - for supporting us to come to pick up the award. It was important for us to be present to speak to journalists and professionals in the new field of 'responsible tourism. This award will encourage us to continue our efforts to ensure that tourism brings real benefits to communities" said Mark Chapman. "It also validates all our hard work in getting these first few communities' accommodation sites up and running."

TESFA are now working hard to encourage donors to support their work to enable TESFA to work with additional communities and expand into new parts of the Ethiopia.

TESFA also wish to thank their donors: Save the Children UK, and the British Embassy in Addis Ababa who have all helped TESFA to get to London to pick up the award.

The following is an extract from a letter from Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com, who came out to see TESFA's work for himself in 2006:

I'm writing to say important your work is in both the context of Ethiopian tourism, but also far wider as an example in tourism destinations in developing countries. I found your project to be one of the most successful, and replicable projects that I've come across.

Congratulations on your work, its vital that you continue to make it a success as it's the model for so many others to follow.