Mantis Achieves Historic Milestone as the First Recipient of the Global Humane Certified™ Designation for Humane Tourism™
Mantis, a leading conservation-focused hotel brand within the Accor group has attained the first Global Humane Certified™ designation for Humane Tourism™ at four select locations.
Global Humane has extended its conservation impact with a new Humane Tourism™ program. As millions of people worldwide seek opportunities to connect with Earth’s majestic wildlife, Global Humane has identified an opportunity to apply their expertise in animal welfare and create a unique certification program in humane tourism.
Audits of Mantis facilities in Southern Africa were conducted in August 2023, which established that the properties met the certification requirements. The certification is an indication that Mantis has met the comprehensive welfare criteria and rigorous standards for tourism and animal wellbeing.
The sites that are certified include Nyosi Wildlife Reserve and the following Mantis properties:
• Mantis Founders Lodge in South Africa
• Ichingo Chobe River Lodge by Mantis in Namibia
• Chobe Princesses by Mantis on the border of Namibia and Botswana
• Zambezi Queen by Mantis on the border of Namibia and Botswana.
Plans are underway to conduct audits of the remaining lodging facilities within the Mantis brand portfolio in the future, as Mantis looks to adopt this certification as a key brand standard.
“Accor invested into Mantis just over 5 years ago, with a key objective of bringing a brand with real conservation credibility into the portfolio. In an industry where everyone is talking about ESG, Mantis has always focused on “doing” and delivering credible outcomes at all our properties. The Humane Tourism™ certification of four of our properties is another layer in this continuous journey and one in which we plan to work with Global Humane to achieve this accreditation for all properties within the portfolio,” said Craig Erasmus, Vice President Operations Fairmont Africa &Mantis.
“Having been involved in land and wildlife restoration for thirty years, the recognition by Global Humane for mine and my team’s achievements is an endorsement we will be forever proud of.” said Adrian Gardiner, Mantis Founder and Chairman.
Humane Tourism™ is a unique animal welfare certification program that assesses and certifies wildlife reserves, lodging facilities, and tour operators for their humane responsibility toward the animal life that these operations may encounter and have the potential to impact.