Arusha — THERE are times when you can simply judge a company from its email message; the one from 'And-Beyond' read; 'before printing this please consider saving paper,' signaling that everything about the firm was all about environment conservation.
With its country headquarters in Arusha, 'And-Beyond' is a continental tourism firm which also doubles as conservation outfit, albeit a highly dedicated one and sure enough, prior to changing its name to the current ID, the company used to be known as Conservation Cooperation Africa (CCA) which was later simplified to read 'Cons-Corp' and eventually became 'And-Beyond,' though its trademark, the 'flying bird,' emblem has remained consistent.
In Its emblem, the picture of a free-flying bird however has remained same throughout the name changing phases and as the year heads to its final weeks, the company has just done the country and conservation efforts proud after being selected to receive the Tanzania Tourist Board (TTB) award.
'And-Beyond' was awarded the Hotel, Lodge and Camp Sustainable Tourism Award for 2013. This according to Dr Crispo Ndembeka, the firm's Assistant Programme Officer for East Africa, was in recognition of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, conservation and community initiatives at the company's Klein's Camp in Serengeti as well as and Mnemba Island lodge in Zanzibar.
With its country headquarters in Arusha, 'And-Beyond' built and operates the 'Lake Manyara Tree Lodge' on the shores of Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Crater Lodge standing at the edge of the legendary Ngorongoro Crater, the Kleins Camp at Ololosokwan Village bordering Serengeti National Park and Mnemba Island Lodge on the shores of the Indian Ocean in Zanzibar.
'And-Beyond' also runs own game driving and airport transfer activities and has been spending a lot to promote its properties, the national parks and country as whole and that is why it won the TTB award.
The Tanzania Tourist Board Awards were recently created by the state owned board, to support and show appreciation for the travel professionals and media who work hard to promote and sell Tanzania in the US market.
According to Dr Ndembeka, 'And-Beyond' continues to reclaim its position as a globally recognized and respected leader in conservation, having also won an international award in sustainability and the delivery of extraordinary guest experiences, as well as a leading luxury experiential travel company in Africa and South Asia.
"It is a real honour to once again be the proud recipients of six prestigious World Travel Awards 2013 in the Africa category," reads part of the email from 'And Beyond,' describing the company's recent industry achievements. Those awards, according to an official release, acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.
Travel and hospitality Firms, or their properties win the accolades after being voted by their customers, friends, guests, colleagues and partners; "... and with their help, we took home the prize in no less than six important categories," said Dr Ndembeka.
When it comes to environment conservation the 'And-Beyond' properties, at least those in Northern Tanzania stand out as shining examples because they were all built on raised wooden platforms which means the natural ground covers below them remain undisturbed.
The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge finishing resembles giant mole hills blending well with the conservation area, the Kleins camp is a log built property with grass thatching while for the Lake Manyara, the company decided to employ wood and tents. The company's vehicles spot deep green painting with reduced metal parts since they are all covered with tarpaulins.
In the end, the 'And Beyond' properties managed to win several accolades including the overall prestigious and continental, 'Africa's Leading Game Reserve Brand.' And, in addition to the TTB award, the company's global recognition chose some of its local Tanzanian properties. The Ngorongoro Crater Lodge was awarded the 'Tanzania Leading Safari Lodge,' as well as 'Zanzibar's leading Resort,' at the firm's Mnemba Island lodge.
The awards complemented the recent announcement from global travel industry watchers who named Tanzania as the top 'Safari' country in Africa. Going beyond Tanzania, 'And-Beyond' again won the Botswana Leading Lodge Operator award given to their Sandibe Okavango Safari Lodge where again the 'Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp' was awarded the 'Leading Tented Camp,' while just across the border to South Africa 'And- Beyond' reaped the 'South Africa's Leading Safari Lodge with their 'Leadwood Lodge.'
"Not only that, but we have also been nominated for two highly esteemed Global World Travel Awards including the 'World's Leading Conservation Company,' but again the Mnemba Island Lodge of Zanzibar topped the global 'World's Leading Luxury Lodge' award.
With three out of its four Tanzanian properties based in the Northern Tourist Circuit and the remaining one in Zanzibar, does the company plan any extension to the Southern Circuit? Mr Niall Anderson the 'And-Beyond' Tanzania Director says that this is also in pipeline.