Adri recognised on global stage
Entrepreneur and owner of Tzaneen Country Lodge, Adri Kruger, says winning an award at the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT) is her greatest achievement yet.
Kruger was acknowledged for her commitment to sustainable tourism. She received the award at the Hybrid Stage Hall in Berlin, Germany on Wednesday, March 6. The event, which was established in 2016, recognises and honours outstanding women in the field of tourism for their contributions to promoting peace and understanding through their work. “The win is by far the highlight of my career since joining the tourism industry 24 years ago.
“My focus is sustainable tourism and the environment and community upliftment. “I believe the win is not only for me as an individual but for the whole of Limpopo and for Tzaneen.” Kruger was selected by an international committee who were impressed by her work, alongside Suma Venkatesh from India and Marija Labovic of Serbia. Venkatesh received an award for her outstanding contributions to inclusion and diversity in the tourism sector and Labovic was awarded for exceptional work in shaping tourism policy.
Also read: Adri takes Tzaneen to Africa and the world
Kruger, who is the chairperson of the Greater Tzaneen Tourism Association, says this year the association will focus on rural tourism. “Tzaneen is a culturally diverse community and we want to showcase that. “Tourists want to experience the cultures of the local people, more than only sightseeing” she adds. The multi-award-winning businesswoman says the award is a blessing for her family as her sister, Petra Steenkamp, is going through cancer treatment.
“The award gave my family hope for the future. Cherry on top was meeting the new CEO of South African Tourism, Nombulelo Guliwe, who also celebrated my achievement,” she concludes. For more on the Greater Tzaneen Tourism Association, visit their website www.go2Tzaneen.co.za.
