Brazilian ecotourism reserve Caiman Ecological Refuge is honoured and delighted to announce that it is a finalist in the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, in the Environment category.

The WTTC nomination is based on Caiman's hotel and community practices as well as its environmental projects, which include the protection of blue hyacinth macaws and Americas' biggest predator, the elusive jaguar.

Located in the Pantanal, the world's biggest wetland, Caiman Ecological Refuge works with jaguar habituation project Onçafari. Their project to re-wild two orphaned cubs recently featured in BBC2's premier wildlife strand Natural World in the programme “Jaguars: Brazil's Super Cats,” narrated by Sir David Attenborough.

Caiman Ecological Refuge was founded in 1985 when owner Dr Roberto Klabin transformed his cattle farm into the first ecolodge in the area, creating a Nature Conservation Programme including maintaining an area of 5,600 hectares of Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony and a wide range of research and species management projects.

Onçafari is the first ever jaguar habituation project in South America, established by former racing car driver Mario Haberfeld. It aims to give an ecotourism value to the preservation of jaguars. Based at Caiman, Onçafari offers visitors an opportunity to track jaguars in an African style jeep safari.

Mario says: “The Onçafari team is so proud to have our groundbreaking conservation work with the jaguars of Caiman recognised by the WTTC.”

Dr Roberto says: “I am surprised and proud to see the model we have developed at Caiman being recognized as a beacon to other initiatives that wish to combine economic development and conservation in the Pantanal. Establishing Caiman as one of the world's leading sustainable Ecolodges has been my life's work. This nomination from the WTTC is a great honour for Caiman, Pantanal and Brazil.”

The 2017 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards fall within the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, meaning that Caiman Ecological Refuge and the 14 other nominees not only showcase business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of 'people, planet and profits', but illustrate the UN's aims of great commitment to “support a change in policies, business practices and consumer behaviour towards a more sustainable tourism sector that can contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals”.

A three stage judging process is already under way with industry renowned expert in sustainability Kathleen Pessolano undertaking an on-site assessment at Caiman.

Winners of the 2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards will be announced at the 17th WTTC Global Summit, taking place in Bangkok, 26 - 27 April 2017.

WTTC 2017 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards Environment Award Finalists

• Biosphere Expeditions, UK
• Caiman Ecological Refuge, Brazil
• Misool, Indonesia

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Editor's Notes:

Established in 1985, Caiman Ecological Refuge is a 53,000 hectare ranch, centre for nature conservation projects and home to the region's most exclusive ecolodges, set in the magnificent setting of the Pantanal wetlands of Mato Grosso do Sul state, Brazil. Two lodges Cordilheira and Baiazinha run independent operations and daily excursions in small groups which are accompanied by a qualified, experienced naturalist guide and a local farmworker. The acclaimed  Nature Conservation Programme, consists of maintaining a Private Reserve of Natural Patrimony (RPPN) and supporting research and conservation projects including blue hyacinth macaws and the elusive jaguar.

                                                            http://caiman.com.br/en

The World Travel & Tourism Council is the global authority on the economic and social contribution of Travel & Tourism. It promotes sustainable growth for the sector, working with governments and international institutions to create jobs, to drive exports and to generate prosperity. The Tourism for Tomorrow Awards recognise the industry's power to be a positive force in sustainability.

                                                            https://www.wttc.org/tourism-for-tomorrow-awards

For more press information about Caiman Ecological Refuge, quotes and interview requests please contact:

Naomi McKee

PR Manager

Senderos

naomi@senderos.co.uk

Representing:

Polar Latitudes Antarctica; Estancia Cristina, Argentina; Estancia Huechahue Argentina; Hotel Puerto Valle Argentina; Caiman Ecological Refuge Brazil; Casa Cairucu Brazil; Cristalino Lodge Brazil; Brazil; Reserva do Ibitipoca Brazil; Pousada Maravilha (coming soon), Brazil;  Casa Higueras Chile; Hotel Antumalal Chile; Lastarria Boutique Hotel, Chile; Hotel Luciano K, Chile; Tierra Atacama Chile; Tierra Chiloe Chile; Tierra Patagonia Chile; Mallín Colorado Ecolodge, Chile; Ecoventura Ecuador; Hacienda Pimán Ecuador; Hacienda Zuleta Ecuador; Sacha Lodge (coming soon), Ecuador; Scalesia Lodge (coming soon), Ecuador; El Mercado, Peru; Lares Adventure Peru; Salkantay Lodge to Lodge trek Peru; El Retablo Boutique B and B, Peru