Sharkwatch SA Blog

The Marine Dynamics team was again present at this year's World Travel Market at the CTICC from 3 – 5 April, promoting the Overberg to over 6000 travel industry professionals who attended Africa’s leading exhibition for both inbound and outbound African travel and tourism markets. 

Marine Dynamics CEO, Wilfred Chivell, was invited to be a panellist at a Responsible Tourism Debate, moderated by Harold Goodwin, World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Adviser. According to Chivell, “Responsible Tourism is tourism ‘that creates better places for people to live in, and better places to visit’. A responsible tourism approach aims to achieve the triple-bottom line outcomes of sustainable development, i.e., economic growth, environmental integrity, and social justice.”


Siyabulela (Sabu) Siyaka, Bangu Masisi and Wilfred Chivell.

The Marine Dynamics Responsible Tourism Policy reads as follows:

Our every activity is driven by our motto Discover. Protect. Educate. We consciously and actively: operate responsibly with due care for the marine and terrestrial environment; conduct ethical scientific research that contributes to the conservation of species; create conservation awareness amongst locals and visitors; contribute positively to the community and economy in which we operate; offer fair wages and good working conditions for our employees; and contribute positively to the protection of cultural heritage.

Goodman reiterated the fact that Wilfred Chivell and his Marine Dynamics team are industry leaders when it comes to Responsible Tourism. You only have to look at the list of awards Marine Dynamics has received, to know this.

To name a few, Marine Dynamics has won the: 

• African Responsible Tourism Award 2020: Gold for the Wildlife category

• Cape Town Tourism Leading Edge for Visitors Experience 2019

• African Responsible Tourism Award 2018: Silver for Marine Habitat & Species Conservation

• World Travel Market Responsible Tourism Awards 2017: Highly Commended 

• Skål International Sustainable Tourism Award 2017 - Marine Based, “Shark and Whale Eco-tourism Benefitting Conservation and Community”

• African Responsible Tourism Award 2016 - People's Choice

• African Responsible Tourism Award 2015 – Best for Wildlife Conservation

• World Responsible Tourism Award – Best for Responsible Wildlife Experiences Shortlisted 2013/Longlisted 2014

• First Choice Responsible Tourism Award 2006 Dyer Island Cruises Highly Commended in a Marine Environment

• Overstrand Mayor’s Floating Trophy for Environmental Conservation: 2004/2006 Finalist; 2007 Runner Up; 2009 Joint Winner; 2012 Winner.

Pieter van Rooyen, Siyabulela (Sabu) Siyaka, Bangu Masisi, Wilfred Chivell, Emilie Hagedoorn and Theuns Vivian.

In Cape Town 21 years ago, the Cape Town Declaration on Responsible Tourism in Destinations was debated and agreed upon alongside the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg. Over the last two decades, South African businesses and many more across Africa and worldwide have been recognised for their achievements in implementing Responsible Tourism principles, and the Responsible Tourism movement is gathering pace. 

21 years on, it is time to reflect on progress and think about the future, and this was the theme for the WTM panel discussion. 

Wilfred Chivell was joined on stage by the following panellists: 

1. Emilie Hagedoorn:  Green Heart Tourism

2. Bangu Masisi represented SA Tourism in the US and Canada, North Europe & Scandinavia, and Australasia. 

3. Pieter van Rooyen, Bon Hotel Bloemfontein Central.

4. Siyabulela (Sabu) Siyaka Ubizo Events and Community Tours

5. Theuns Vivian Tourism Unit in the Enterprise and Investment Directorate of the City of Cape Town.

Marine Dynamics' tourism partner Grootbos, also attended WTM. The owner of Grootbos and close friend and colleague of Wilfred Chivell, Michael Lutzeyer, also signed the Responsible Tourism Declaration at the World Travel Market 2023. 


Wilfred Chivell, Sanja Lutzeyer, Zilé de Kock and Michael Lutzeyer.

Both Marine Dynamics and Grootbos are creating a tourist destination for local and international visitors in Gansbaai. “With being present at local and international travel markets, Grootbos and Marine Dynamics have built solid relationships with agents and tour operators across the world,” says Chivell. “In this way, we are promoting guest houses, restaurants, shops, and all other tourist attractions in the Overberg on a global platform”. 

It is clear that tourism has changed forever post Covid-19. People want to spend money where they know that a difference is being made. “Visitors want to know, that when they return in a few years, or their children or grandchildren return to the Kleinbaai oceans where the Marine Dynamics eco-tourism boats depart from, the African Penguins, whales, sharks, seals, and dolphins they see today, will still be there. With our Marine Dynamics conservation efforts, we can assure visitors, that it will be”, says Wilfred Chivell.


Claudia Randall, Zezam Maninjwa, Christine Wessels, Wilfred Chivell, Zilé de Kock and Cari Roets.