We congratulate our Emperor Penguin member, Greg Bakunzi from Rwanda, for receiving the UNWTO Award for his conservation and community supporting tourism. The UNWTO Awards are the flagship awards for the global tourism sector. They recognize the work of organizations and individuals around the world that positively impact and inspire the tourism sector through innovation and knowledge, in line with the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

VoyagesAfriq, a Travel and Tourism media with interest in promoting Africa to the world, reported about the event as follows:

“The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has recognized founder of Red Rocks Cultural Center and Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development Greg Bakunzi and it’s partners for championing sustainable tourism development in Africa.

The award was in recognition of what Red Rocks Cultural Center and Red Rocks Initiatives for Sustainable Development have been doing to promote tourism, conservation and community development in and around the Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda.

Greg was presented with the award by the Secretary General of UNWTO Zurab Pololikashvili and a group photo taken along with Spain’s Minister of Industry Trade and Tourism Maria Reyes Maroto Illera, Luis Padron Lopez-Director General of Casa Africa, Eduardo Lopez-Puertas-Director General of IFEMA, and Fernando Martin Valenzuela, Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs –Spain.

Speaking exclusively to VoyagesAfriq after his award, Greg said it has been a long journey and he is happy their efforts are being recognized. He added that this award would only spur him on for greater works in the area of conservation.”