The Table Mountain Aerial Cableway Company has been recognised on a continental stage, taking top honours in the Local Economic Benefit category at the WTM Africa Responsible Tourism Awards 2026.
From left to right: Neil Arbous, Collette van Aswegen, Marizaan Bredenkamp, Rachel Nxele, Selma Hercules, Wahida Parker, Mike Williams, and Rianda Williams/Supplied
Announced during WTM Africa in Cape Town this week, the accolade highlights the company’s growing reputation as a leader in responsible tourism that delivers measurable benefits for communities, while protecting one of South Africa’s most iconic natural landmarks.
A benchmark for responsible tourism
For an attraction that welcomes close to one million visitors each year, balancing volume with sustainability is no small task. Yet TMACC has positioned itself as a working example of how tourism can be both commercially successful and socially impactful.
The recognition comes as the global travel sector faces mounting pressure to prove its environmental and social value. Increasingly, success is being measured not just by visitor numbers, but by long-term contributions to people and place.
Keeping tourism value local
At the heart of the award is TMACC’s commitment to local economic inclusion. Over the past decade, the organisation has significantly shifted its procurement strategy to favour local suppliers. Local procurement has grown from 29% in 2017 to an impressive 89% today. Nearly all retail products (97%) are sourced locally, supporting more than 150 small businesses and sustaining hundreds of jobs across the tourism value chain.
Beyond procurement, TMACC’s Enterprise and Supplier Development programme provides mentorship, skills development and access to markets. The goal is simple: enable small businesses to participate meaningfully in Cape Town’s tourism economy. Looking ahead, plans are underway to explore local manufacturing of compostable hospitality products. The initiative could create around 75 new jobs, while reducing environmental impact.
Sustainability built into daily operations
Operating within the Cape Floristic Region, TMACC has embedded environmental responsibility into its core operations.
Today, 92% of waste is diverted from landfill through recycling and circular economy practices. Ongoing efforts also include energy efficiency measures, water conservation, and carbon offset programmes linked to community projects. Partnerships with local recycling initiatives in areas such as Khayelitsha and Mitchell’s Plain further extend this impact beyond the mountain itself.
The approach signals a broader shift in tourism, away from isolated sustainability projects and towards fully integrated business models.
Expanding access through education
TMACC’s contribution goes beyond economics and environment. It also invests in education and access.
Since its launch in 2001, the Class in the Clouds programme has welcomed more than 360,000 learners, turning Table Mountain into a living classroom. Each year, around 15,000 learners take part.
By improving access, the initiative reinforces the idea of Table Mountain as a shared national asset that belongs to all South Africans.
A model for the future
The latest award adds to a growing list of accolades for TMACC, spanning sustainability, visitor experience and global traveller rankings. More importantly, it reflects a wider shift in the industry. Tourism is no longer just about arrivals. It’s about impact.
TMACC’s model shows that responsible tourism is not a trade-off. When done well, it strengthens both destination competitiveness and community wellbeing. As travel continues to evolve, examples like this offer a clear blueprint for the future where tourism works for everyone.
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