Stormsriver Adventures Wins Eastern Cape Sustainable Tourism Award 2025
Stormsriver Adventures is proud to announce it has been awarded the Sustainable Tourism Award at the Eastern Cape Tourism Awards held this past Saturday, recognizing the company’s long-standing commitment to responsible tourism, community upliftment, and environmental stewardship.
The award comes at a time when sustainability and responsible travel are not just industry buzzwords, but the backbone of tourism’s future. For Stormsriver Adventures, the accolade is more than recognition — it’s a celebration of their people, their community, and the forests and landscapes that inspire their work.
“This award belongs to our team — the guides, the back-office staff, the company co-owners
who pour heart and soul into every canopy tour, hike, Woodcutters Journey and behind-the-scenes operation,” said Ashley Wentworth, CEO of Stormsriver Adventures. “We believe tourism must fuel prosperity and preserve beauty. Winning this now underscores how vital sustainable and responsible strategies are for the future of our industry.”
The company has been a Fair-Trade Tourism-certified operator for over two decades, continuously achieving top marks in its re-certifications. Almost half the business — 48% — is staff-owned, ensuring that employees are not just workers but shareholders in its success. Local roots run deep, with most staff drawn from surrounding communities and ongoing investment in training, youth employment, and empowerment.
Managing Director Anneline Wyatt emphasized that the win reflects a long-term vision, not a recent shift. “We’ve long embedded sustainability into our DNA — this recognition affirms that those efforts are not just talk but transform lives. Our people matter. Our planet matters. This win is for them.”
Stormsriver Adventures has consistently gone beyond business to invest in community projects, including support for Educare facilities, job creation for unemployed youth, and training and development within the tourism industry. These efforts have become as much a part of their identity as their flagship Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour.
As global travelers demand more ethical, sustainable experiences, this award positions the Eastern Cape — and Stormsriver Adventures — as leaders in a tourism model that balances adventure, responsibility, and shared prosperity. Stormsriver Adventures is a pioneer of eco-adventure in South Africa, best known for the Tsitsikamma Canopy Tour — Africa’s first of its kind — set high in the indigenous forest.
The company combines thrilling outdoor experiences with a deep commitment to sustainability, Fair Trade principles, and community upliftment, ensuring tourism has a positive impact on both people and planet.
Learn more on www.canopytour.co.za
